Since no one has tried to explain what this song means to them, I figure I'll have a go, since I enjoy reading others' takes on songs. Anyways, this is what I get out of the song.
So basically, I think Ray is comparing life's journey to climbing a mountain (Not a novel comparison I know, but Ray does it so beautifully).
I picture Ray standing at the base of a mountain (representative of life's obstacles). He looks up to the sky, hoping for some inspiration (representative of the sun), but sees only clouds. Before he begins his ascent, he reflects on his own hardships ('Cause I can't hear a sound,'Cept my own sad story). To me it means that when we are in the fire of our own lives, we tend to get lost, and forget that everyone else is dealing with their own hardships. Basically, we are not alone, but we forget this.
After reflecting, he stares at the mountain (i.e. so tired, 'a-starin' at the walls'), and he becomes discouraged with what he must endure to get to his end-goal (i.e. the top of the mountain). Before he begins his climb, he begins to wonder if he starts his climb, will the weight of his burdens be to heavy for him to hold on. Furthermore, he wonders if that is the case, will someone be there to help catch him if he falls (i.e. recover and get past a particular failure/obstacle or a part of the 'mountain' he seems to be stuck at).
Finally, I think the part with the girl is added in there to increase the expedience of the song to the listener. However, using my interpretation, this girl could be someone who he really loves, and he is wondering if she could be that person to help him past through life's obstacles. He wants to know if she is the one, if not, he wants her to be upfront and just tell him, so he can move on and continue his 'ascent' through life (i.e Don't dispel me girl, Just tell me, Are we really through?). As we all know relationships can be obstacles themselves.
Since no one has tried to explain what this song means to them, I figure I'll have a go, since I enjoy reading others' takes on songs. Anyways, this is what I get out of the song.
So basically, I think Ray is comparing life's journey to climbing a mountain (Not a novel comparison I know, but Ray does it so beautifully).
I picture Ray standing at the base of a mountain (representative of life's obstacles). He looks up to the sky, hoping for some inspiration (representative of the sun), but sees only clouds. Before he begins his ascent, he reflects on his own hardships ('Cause I can't hear a sound,'Cept my own sad story). To me it means that when we are in the fire of our own lives, we tend to get lost, and forget that everyone else is dealing with their own hardships. Basically, we are not alone, but we forget this.
After reflecting, he stares at the mountain (i.e. so tired, 'a-starin' at the walls'), and he becomes discouraged with what he must endure to get to his end-goal (i.e. the top of the mountain). Before he begins his climb, he begins to wonder if he starts his climb, will the weight of his burdens be to heavy for him to hold on. Furthermore, he wonders if that is the case, will someone be there to help catch him if he falls (i.e. recover and get past a particular failure/obstacle or a part of the 'mountain' he seems to be stuck at).
Finally, I think the part with the girl is added in there to increase the expedience of the song to the listener. However, using my interpretation, this girl could be someone who he really loves, and he is wondering if she could be that person to help him past through life's obstacles. He wants to know if she is the one, if not, he wants her to be upfront and just tell him, so he can move on and continue his 'ascent' through life (i.e Don't dispel me girl, Just tell me, Are we really through?). As we all know relationships can be obstacles themselves.
Anyways, that is my take.