Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Couple in the next room bound to win a prize
They've been going at it all night long
Well, I'm tryin' to get some sleep
But these motel walls are cheap
Lincoln Duncan is my name
And here's my song, here's my song
My father was a fisherman
My mama was a fisherman's friend
And I was born in the boredom and the chowder
So when I reached my prime
I left my home in the Maritimes
Headed down the turnpike for New England, sweet New England
Holes in my confidence
Holes in the knees of my jeans
I was left without a penny in my pocket
Ooh-oowee, I was about as destituted as a kid could be
And I wished I wore a ring so I could hock it
I'd like to hock it
A young girl in a parkin' lot
Was preaching to a crowd
Singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
Well, I told her I was lost
And she told all about the Pentecost
And I seen that girl as the road to my survival
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
Just later on the very same night
When I crept to her tent with a flashlight
And my long years of innocence ended
Well, she took me to the woods
Sayin' "Here comes something, and it feels so good!"
And just like a dog I was befriended, I was befriended
Oh, oh, what a night
Oh, what a garden of delight
Even now that sweet memory lingers
I was playing my guitar
Lyin' underneath the stars
Just thankin' the Lord
For my fingers
For my fingers
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
They've been going at it all night long
Well, I'm tryin' to get some sleep
But these motel walls are cheap
Lincoln Duncan is my name
And here's my song, here's my song
My father was a fisherman
My mama was a fisherman's friend
And I was born in the boredom and the chowder
So when I reached my prime
I left my home in the Maritimes
Headed down the turnpike for New England, sweet New England
Holes in my confidence
Holes in the knees of my jeans
I was left without a penny in my pocket
Ooh-oowee, I was about as destituted as a kid could be
And I wished I wore a ring so I could hock it
I'd like to hock it
A young girl in a parkin' lot
Was preaching to a crowd
Singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible
Well, I told her I was lost
And she told all about the Pentecost
And I seen that girl as the road to my survival
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
Just later on the very same night
When I crept to her tent with a flashlight
And my long years of innocence ended
Well, she took me to the woods
Sayin' "Here comes something, and it feels so good!"
And just like a dog I was befriended, I was befriended
Oh, oh, what a night
Oh, what a garden of delight
Even now that sweet memory lingers
I was playing my guitar
Lyin' underneath the stars
Just thankin' the Lord
For my fingers
For my fingers
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
Lyrics submitted by geologist_nightmare
Duncan Lyrics as written by Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this song reminds me of el condor pasa. is that just me?
"is that just me?"<br /> <br /> Yes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Just kidding.<br /> You're right, they're very much alike in at least two respects, and probably several others that someone who knows music theory / composition could explain to us.<br /> The instrumentation is similar -- I'm pretty sure those woodwinds are pan-pipes in both tracks.<br /> And the backing musicians playing them, plus at least some of the rhythm section, are the very same: the Andean music group "Los Incas" were some of the backing musicians on "El Condor Pasa," as well as on "Duncan," and toured with PS in the early 70s. They show up on the live album from his '73-'74 tour, "Live Rhymin'".<br /> And then, of course, there's the part where they're both heartbreakingly beautiful songs -- but then again so are another half-dozen to dozen Simon songs, most of which don't sound anything like this.<br /> (Tho' that loooooonnnnngggg coda to "The Boxer" has a feel very much like the coda to "Duncan," doesn't it?)
@Richie45069 \r\n@ShineYouDiamond \r\nI think so, because he uses the Peruvian/Andean (?) pipes in this song, as well as in El Condor Pasa. I had to google it it after hearing it on my Pandora channel today because of exactly this sound compounded by how long it’s been since I’ve heard it. It certainly brought me back and I suspect it will be my earworm for a bit. Filled with so many paradoxical situations and memories that it brought up.