For Everyman - Jackson Browne ?

[Ed from Motown]

Anybody want to comment on the meaning behind this song. I love it (and Jackson Browne) but struggle with this song's deeper meanings. Any thoughts appreciated.

[Farin]

here are the lyrics for anyone who would try to interpret them:

Everybody I talk to is ready to leave

With the light of the morning

They've seen the end coming down long enough to believe

That they've heard their last warning

Standing alone

Each has his own ticket in his hand

And as the evening descends

I sit thinking 'bout Everyman

Seems like I've always been looking for some other place

To get it together

Where with a few of my friends I could give up the race

And maybe find something better

But all my fine dreams

Well thought out schemes to gain the motherland

Have all eventually come down to waiting for Everyman

Waiting here for Everyman-

Make it on your own if you think you can

If you see somewhere to go I understand

Waiting here for Everyman-

Don't ask me if he'll show - baby I don't know

Make it on your own if you think you can

Somewhere later on you'll have to take a stand

Then you're going to need a hand

Everybody's just waiting to hear from the one

Who can give them the answers

And lead them back to that place in the warmth of the sun

Where sweet childhood still dances

Who'll come along

And hold out that strong and gentle father's hand?

Long ago I heard someone say something 'bout Everyman

Waiting here for Everyman-

Make it on your own if you think you can

If you see somewhere to go I understand

I'm not trying to tell you that I've seen the plan

Turn and walk away if you think I am-

But don't think too badly of one who's left holding sand

He's just another dreamer, dreaming 'bout Everyman

PS Welcome to SF, Ed

in my timezone you made your post at 00:10:00 on 01.01.10

[rabbit100]

Apparently this song was written in response to CSN's song Wooden Ships, which talks about sailing away from troubled place to go somewhere more peaceful and happy.

For Everyman begins with a reference to the people who would make this voyage, and their "every man for himself" approach.

An everyman is an ordinary person, someone everybody can see themselves in, but in this song I think it refers to (or also refers to) all people, or the community of mankind. Overall the song is about the struggle between wanting to ignore the problems of humanity by just leaving on a metaphorical ship, and feeling compelled to play a role in the improvement of social conditions, helping others, ending war, and so on. It also touches on the desire to return to a childlike state of understanding, where a father-figure or a sage gives us the guidance and answers that we need to make sense of the world around us. Now that we are grown, we don't have that luxury, and must struggle alone to reconcile our existence with the existences of everyman.

I hope that helps. I think it's about right, but other people mave additional interpretations or refinements. The part about it being a response to Wooden Ships is accurate though.