I've been listening to this song since the CD came out. The meaning of the lyrics always seem straightforward but when I actually think about them, I find the meaning to be just out of reach. I will give it a shot though.
The person he's singing to/about lives on the street. The singer runs into him every now and then, maybe at the park or waiting for the train or just on the way to the store. One day, a long time ago, he took the time to hear what the person had to say. They chatted, discussed things of moderate importance and bonded though the street person never really revealed very much personal information.
At some point prior to meeting the Narrator, the homeless person was hurt, badly. Maybe in the military or he was in a bad car accident, maybe he lost his family in a fir. Whatever the tragedy, he found himself unable to hold a regular job. Little by little, the homeless person built a life for himself, living off the kindness of others, odd jobs and perhaps a shelter now and then.
When the homeless person and the Narrator meet they begin an unusual friendship. Over time though, the Narrator realizes that his friend is holding back. He has learned little about the man personally and knows nothing of what caused his predicament.
I've been listening to this song since the CD came out. The meaning of the lyrics always seem straightforward but when I actually think about them, I find the meaning to be just out of reach. I will give it a shot though.
The person he's singing to/about lives on the street. The singer runs into him every now and then, maybe at the park or waiting for the train or just on the way to the store. One day, a long time ago, he took the time to hear what the person had to say. They chatted, discussed things of moderate importance and bonded though the street person never really revealed very much personal information.
At some point prior to meeting the Narrator, the homeless person was hurt, badly. Maybe in the military or he was in a bad car accident, maybe he lost his family in a fir. Whatever the tragedy, he found himself unable to hold a regular job. Little by little, the homeless person built a life for himself, living off the kindness of others, odd jobs and perhaps a shelter now and then.
When the homeless person and the Narrator meet they begin an unusual friendship. Over time though, the Narrator realizes that his friend is holding back. He has learned little about the man personally and knows nothing of what caused his predicament.