I agree that this is probably one of the best songs Jackson Browne ever wrote, and I am a big fan of his. But I see it as sadder than some of the other opinions posted in here. Consider these phrases:
"Heaven's no closer than it was yesterday"
It sounds like he has not made one bit of progress toward happiness in all the time he has been struggling and moving on.
"The reasons I once had are gone"
This means to me that his search and struggle has practically been a waste of time because all the reasons he ever had to keep going turned out to be misguided.
"But the angels are older. They can see that the sun's setting fast"
By far, the saddest line in the song. It sounds like he is running out of time and will never find happiness.
In all, the impression I get in my heart whenever I listen to this song is that he continues to soldier on simply because there is no other option. The angels will go along with him as long as far as he can go, but he has not seen any sign of success and time is running out.
It's a magnificent, beautiful song. But I always hear it as rather sad.
Great comments here about this incredible song written by one of the most courageous artists of our time. I agree with mmagliaro about the pervasive sadness in the lyrics. It's heartbreaking. But Jackson Browne leaves a hint of hope at the end--the silver lining to this cloudy life--with these words:
Great comments here about this incredible song written by one of the most courageous artists of our time. I agree with mmagliaro about the pervasive sadness in the lyrics. It's heartbreaking. But Jackson Browne leaves a hint of hope at the end--the silver lining to this cloudy life--with these words:
"...they lay down behind me to sleep beside the road 'til the morning has come, where they know they will find me with my maps and my faith in the distance, moving farther on."
"...they lay down behind me to sleep beside the road 'til the morning has come, where they know they will find me with my maps and my faith in the distance, moving farther on."
Sounds like he has no intention of giving up, no matter how tough the...
Sounds like he has no intention of giving up, no matter how tough the struggle becomes. And he hasn't. He is still bringing the truth and entreating us to look squarely at it. Check out "Time the Conqueror".
I agree that this is probably one of the best songs Jackson Browne ever wrote, and I am a big fan of his. But I see it as sadder than some of the other opinions posted in here. Consider these phrases:
"Heaven's no closer than it was yesterday" It sounds like he has not made one bit of progress toward happiness in all the time he has been struggling and moving on.
"The reasons I once had are gone" This means to me that his search and struggle has practically been a waste of time because all the reasons he ever had to keep going turned out to be misguided.
"But the angels are older. They can see that the sun's setting fast"
By far, the saddest line in the song. It sounds like he is running out of time and will never find happiness.
In all, the impression I get in my heart whenever I listen to this song is that he continues to soldier on simply because there is no other option. The angels will go along with him as long as far as he can go, but he has not seen any sign of success and time is running out.
It's a magnificent, beautiful song. But I always hear it as rather sad.
Great comments here about this incredible song written by one of the most courageous artists of our time. I agree with mmagliaro about the pervasive sadness in the lyrics. It's heartbreaking. But Jackson Browne leaves a hint of hope at the end--the silver lining to this cloudy life--with these words:
Great comments here about this incredible song written by one of the most courageous artists of our time. I agree with mmagliaro about the pervasive sadness in the lyrics. It's heartbreaking. But Jackson Browne leaves a hint of hope at the end--the silver lining to this cloudy life--with these words:
"...they lay down behind me to sleep beside the road 'til the morning has come, where they know they will find me with my maps and my faith in the distance, moving farther on."
"...they lay down behind me to sleep beside the road 'til the morning has come, where they know they will find me with my maps and my faith in the distance, moving farther on."
Sounds like he has no intention of giving up, no matter how tough the...
Sounds like he has no intention of giving up, no matter how tough the struggle becomes. And he hasn't. He is still bringing the truth and entreating us to look squarely at it. Check out "Time the Conqueror".