Madman Across the Water

I can see very well. There's a boat on the reef with a broken back And I can see it very well.

I imagine he's in a home for the mentally insane and 
looking out of his window from his room he has a view of a beach.
A short ways off shore there is a small wooden boat that has run 'aground' on a reef.
The boat's back is broken.  He feels as though he is the boat.
The boat was trying to make it back to shore, but couldn't.
He was trying to make it back to sanity, but couldn't.

There's a joke and I know it very well, It's one of those that I told you long ago. Take my word I'm a madman don't you know.

A long time ago he tried to talk to his loved ones (family) about his problem.
They wouldn't believe him, they thought he must be joking.
Now his family sees him as a sad joke.

Once a fool had a good part in the play,

His family feels that he was born into a good family, with good financial and emotional support.
He foolishly squandered his resources and benefits and is now unable to cope.

If it's so would I still be here today?

If he was raised so good, and his family gave him all the opportunities he could need then, 
why is he still in the nut house?

It's quite peculiar in a funny sort of way, They think it's very funny everything I say. Get a load of him, he's so insane

He feels that his family laughs at him behind his back.

You'd better get your coat dear It looks like rain.

The visit is over, they are getting to leave.

We'll come again next Thursday afternoon. The Inlaws hope they'll see you very soon.

Things that they are saying to him as they are getting ready to leave.

But is it in your conscience that you're after Another glimpse of the Madman across the Water.

The reason why he thinks they visit him is just to
take another look at their crazy relative.

I can see very well. There's a boat on the reef with a broken back And I can see it very well. There's a joke and I know it very well, It's one of those that I told you long ago. Take my word I'm a madman don't you know.

The ground's a long way down but I need more.

The distance from his window to the ground is not far enough
to guarantee death if he were to jump.

Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?

Many crazy people retreat from the 'outside world' or reality
into their minds where they are more comfortable.  
    His room represents his inside world and the windows represent 
    a view to the outside world or reality,
    a place that is "nightmarish" to him.

Will they come again next week, Can my mind really take it?

He really hates it when he gets visitors.
He wishes that they would just forget about him and
leave him alone.  He feels like a spectacle in a freak show.

We'll come agan next Thursday afternoon. The Inlaws hope they'll see you very soon. But is it in your conscience that you're after Another glimpse of the Madman across the Water.