Desperados Waiting for a Train Lyrics

Lyric discussion by gremble 

Cover art for Desperados Waiting for a Train lyrics by Guy Clark

This song is about Guy's grandmother's boyfriend and Guy's relationship to him.

It seems to me that the lyrics reflect a type on man with a sort of desperado style bravaura, but without a sense of purpose or direction. Machismo without an outlet, like <insert song title>.

There's perhaps some sort comparison here, the old man is waiting for death, the young man waits to have his life.

Song Meaning