I think that the final stanza of this song encapsulates the meaning of the song as a whole. The first stanza seems about the lack of family unity, the second of a similar theme, being the separation of lovers, and the third is an introspective walk alone. But the fourth stanza, here is where the heart strings are somewhat plucked. Bob has a vision--and a particularly holy one too--that the love of a family is more special than any love, and perhaps the cure for lonliness and the first step to something higher, which, I believe, his later years make clear...
I think that the final stanza of this song encapsulates the meaning of the song as a whole. The first stanza seems about the lack of family unity, the second of a similar theme, being the separation of lovers, and the third is an introspective walk alone. But the fourth stanza, here is where the heart strings are somewhat plucked. Bob has a vision--and a particularly holy one too--that the love of a family is more special than any love, and perhaps the cure for lonliness and the first step to something higher, which, I believe, his later years make clear...