Homeward Bound

Paul Simon · Other Songs - Paul Simon

I'm sitting in the railway station.

Got a ticket to my destination.

On a tour of one-night stands my suitcase and guitar in hand.

And ev'ry stop is neatly planned for a poet and a one-man band.

Homeward bound,

I wish I was,

Homeward bound,

Home where my thought's escaping,

Home where my music's playing,

Home where my love lies waiting

Silently for me.

Ev'ry day's an endless stream

Of cigarettes and magazines.

And each town looks the same to me, the movies and the factories

And ev'ry stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be,

Homeward bound,

I wish I was,

Homeward bound,

Home where my thought's escaping,

Home where my music's playing,

Home where my love lies waiting

Silently for me.

Tonight I'll sing my songs again,

I'll play the game and pretend.

But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity

Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me.

Homeward bound,

I wish I was,

Homeward bound,

Home where my thought's escaping,

Home where my music's playing,

Home where my love lies waiting

Silently for me.

Silently for me.

Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound stands as one of Paul Simon's most poignant solo recordings, capturing the weary sentiment of a touring musician longing for home. Released during the height of his early solo career, the track showcases Simon's signature blend of folk-rock sensibilities and intricate acoustic guitar work. The song's narrative reflects the emotional toll of constant travel, a theme that resonated deeply with audiences and cemented Simon's reputation as a master storyteller. Its melodic structure and introspective lyrics highlight the artist's ability to transform personal experience into universal art. As a key song in his discography, the recording remains a timeless example of his songwriting prowess, bridging the gap between his work with Art Garfunkel and his subsequent solo achievements.