Daniel Johnston – Walking The Cow

"Walking The Cow" as written by and Daniel Johnston....
Try to remember
But my feelings can't know for sure
Tried to reach out
But it's gone

Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow

I really don't know how I came here
I really don't know why I'm staying here
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow

Tried to point my finger
But the wind was blowing me around
In circles
Circles

Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow

I really don't know what I have to fear
I really don't know what I have to care
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow


Lyrics submitted by daffy

"Walking the Cow" as written by Daniel Johnston

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Walking The Cow song meanings
Add your thoughts

20 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General CommentI love this song.
    beautiful.
    tronistroyon August 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthis is the most beautiful low-fi song i have ever heard.
    i think the mickeydees-slip-tapes-to-cute-girls thing is really adorable too.

    as for the song i think the reference to walking the cow is quite literal and is a metaphor for simply walking aimlessly, going day to day, doing something which looks productive but really isn't. it's a sad song about not achieving very much while having good intentions- "hi how are you- he never meant no one no harm please let him stay!"
    backyon February 13, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI always looked at it this way

    As Phonophobe says, in "Go" Daniel says "Someone said that life is like a cow, but I don't know how that applies"

    He isn't confused by his own metaphor at all. If life is like a cow, walking the cow means something like the walk of life, or "living life", which is also a D.J. song.

    This way it always seemed right to me, and it's basically the same as what Daniel says in the movie.
    rolf1304on May 24, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My InterpretationTo me this song is about the aimlessness of life's journey and struggling to find meaning in a confusing world. The song has the sort of comical image of such a pointless task as walking a cow which I think stands for the dragging around the weight of the status quo and social responsibilities. Some daily tasks may as well seems as meaningful as walking a cow sometimes. The song also seems to touch on him missing past memories and wondering what comes next; sort of flitting around on a day to day basis while trying to grapple with the worthiness of the journey. In short I would describe this song as a bittersweet song of uncertainty and a struggle with the purpose of living.

    Johnston stands out as an artist for his raw connection with the deepest of human emotions. He really shows his soul to the world through his music and I can respect that because sometimes the rawest of emotions can be the hardest to articulate and tap into. This song is just one of many heart felt songs by Johnston.
    Diab0licon January 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe thing is, when I first heard this song, I thought a pre-pubescent 12-year old was singing it....

    And then I did some research on Daniel Johnston, and it turns out that he's very mentally disturbed, almost got locked up for attempted murder.

    He got his music out there by working at McDonalds and putting a demo tape on the tray of any cute girl he saw.

    Whoa.

    But I still love this song.
    in red weatheron July 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentlove this song,
    I have no clue what walking the cow might mean,
    but I've got my own interpretation of the song.

    just you know, losing the feelings you might have about someone, and wondering where those feelings went, and staying around hoping that they'll come back to you. you try to blame them for your change of heart but it's not really the reason.
    precipitateon January 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentDaniel once described walking the cow as carrying the wait of the world, while miming carrying a cow on his back.
    lostfoundon January 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentim pretty sure its about when daniel was forced to move to texas to live with his brother.his parents made him.he always said "the devil has texas" "the devil has the cow" he thought of texas as a cow.its a metaphor being in texas.and missing his girl.not knowing where to go.being a young adult and having no where to go
    pineconiouson February 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentim pretty sure its about when daniel was forced to move to texas to live with his brother.his parents made him.he always said "the devil has texas" "the devil has the cow" he thought of texas as a cow.its a metaphor being in texas.and missing his girl.not knowing where to go.being a young adult and having no where to go
    pineconiouson February 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is about feeling the weight of the world, as daniel explains in the movie 'the devil and daniel johnston', you know the weight of responsibility and feeling the pressure of trying to 'fit' in and make something of yourself.....there may be some reference to his condition ' I really dont know why I came here, I really dont know why I stay here' this line evokes depression and ' try to remember but my feelings cant know for sure ' this speaks of the confusion he feels.
    HotRats86on February 12, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain