I was walking far from home
Where the names were not burned along the wall
Sour building high as heaven
But the door was so small, door was so small

I saw rainclouds, little babies
And a bridge that had tumbled to the ground
I saw sinners making music
And I dreamt of that sound, dreamt of that sound

I was walking far from home
But I carried your letters all the while
I saw lovers in a window
Whisper, "Warn me like time, warn me like time"

I saw sickness blooming fruit trees
I saw blood and a bit of it was mine
I saw children in a river
But their lips were still dry, lips were still dry

I was walking far from home
And I found your face mingled in the crowd
Saw a boat full of believers
Say, "I'm talking too loud, talking too loud"

I saw sunlight on the water
Saw a bird fall like a hammer from the sky
And a woman on a speed train
She was closing her eyes, closing her eyes

I saw flowers on a hillside
And a millionaire pissing on the lawn
Saw a prisoner take a pistol
And say, "Join me in song, join me in song"

Saw a car crash in the country
Where the prayers are like weeds along the road
I saw strangers stealing kisses
Giving only their clothes, only their clothes

Saw a white dog chase its tail
And a pair of hearts carved into a stone
I saw kindness and an angel
Crying, "Take me back home, take me back home"

Saw a highway, saw an ocean
I saw widows in the temple to the Lord
Naked dancers in the city
How they spoke for us all, spoke for us all

I saw loaded linen tables
And a motherless colt and it was gone
I saw hungry brothers waiting
With a radio on, radio on

I was walking far from home
Where the names are not burned along the wall
Saw a wet road form a circle
And it came like a call, came like a call

From the Lord


Lyrics submitted by smallwonderrobot, edited by apt, carbonunit71, rollstwenties

Walking Far From Home Lyrics as written by Samuel Ervin Beam

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Walking Far from Home song meanings
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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I think there are a lot of references to death, but in a very peaceful, accepting way. I think the song covers loss, moving on and change. There are also comparisons between death and hope.

    "And a bridge that had tumbled to the ground"

    "I saw sickness, blooming fruit trees" - here shows the contrast between sickness and health

    "I saw blood and a bit of it was mine"

    "I saw children in a river But their lips were still dry, lips were still dry" - talking perhaps about poverty, and how they can't drink the dirty water so they die/get ill from thirst.

    "Saw a bird fall like a hammer from the sky" shows death in nature/animals

    "Saw an old woman on the speed train She was closing her eyes, closing her eyes" again, another reference to fear or death or moving on.

    "Saw a prisoner take a pistol And say, "Join me in song, join me in song""

    "Saw a car crash in the country"

    "I saw strangers stealing kisses" - last kisses before parting ways or in old age perhaps?"

    "I saw kindness and an angel Crying, "Take me back home, take me back home" - take me back home; to heaven or just back to earth

    CoeurDePirateon March 14, 2011   Link

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