Educated Stranger
The Educated Stranger
His dark eyes no longer smile, always well dressed,
he walks rapidly through town; speaks to people
but only briefly, and mostly about the weather.
Often he disappears for weeks, drives from town
to town it is as he is looking for something that he
will only know what is when he finds it.
His family, travelling folks, a close knit society he
accidently broke out of when he was persuaded
to seek higher education, he became different.
Travelers journey and he saw his people disappear
In a haze of road dust. A natural business flair,
he made money so he could retire early, and live in
a big house. His eyes scan the horizon, looking for
the irretrievable.
poem by Oskar Hansen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Small Town
Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
All my friends are so small town
My parents live in the same small town
My job is so small town
Provides little opportunity
Educated in a small town
Taught the fear of jesus in a small town
Used to daydream in that small town
Another boring romantic thats me
But Ive seen it all in a small town
Had myself a ball in a small town
Married an l.a. doll and brought her to this small town
Now shes small town just like me
No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be
Got nothing against a big town
Still hayseed enough to say
Look whos in the big town
But my bed is in a small town
Oh, and thats good enough for me
Well I was born in a small town
And I can breathe in a small town
Gonna die in this small town
And thats probly where theyll bury me
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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White Town
Its midnight down in sector two
Little girl walkin dressed in innocence and cool
Only fourteen and dressed up for the score
Hold that breath now boy, he(? )
She dances, baby, to the beat
Of breaking glass and running feet
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Oh, she comes home from work and grabs something to eat
Turn the corner and walks down her street
In a row of houses, chic, shiny and dirty and grey
Disappears like the scenery in another mans play
And as she dances, oh, to the beat
Oh the trooper stickin dresses for the number on the sheet
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Down in white town
Yeah, mr. outside, youre walkin so free
If you turn your eyes so you dont see
You act like youre the hand turns the key
And you become the hand that turns the key
And no matter how I try I cannot understand
The way that they will turn a man
Into a stranger in his own land
Down in white town
(repeat to fade)
song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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100 Nights
(music: marillion lyrics: steve hogarth)
A hundred nights of fun and games
A thousand empty glasses
I feel it change and stay the same
As each day passes
They invite me to their gatherings
In the finer parts of town
They seem attracted to my indifference
The irony just knocks me out
And I love them as if I love them
And they reciprocate with help
But I look up at these mirrors sometimes
Oh, and I cant see myself
They say that some are born to burn
And some are born to give
They say that people live and learn
Some people only live and live
You dont know that I come here
If you did you would know why
So we close our eyes
You didnt notice me
As I passed you on the stairs
How could you ever guess lookin at my face
How closely I share your taste
How well I know your place
Even the clothes you wear
Ive seen them when youre not there
You say that you can win win win
If you know how to play the game
But while youre out there playing you see
Theres something you should know
She spends your money
She spends your money
She spends your money
She spends your money on me
This town has turned me into what I have become
This town dresses you up like a stranger
This town hangs around in the doorway and tells me Im late
This town takes us down, takes us down
I feel like Im losing you to this town
song performed by by Marillion
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ghost Town
This town is becoming like a ghost town;
Many of our local shops are closing down.
Once upon a time, this town was really hopping,
But now people go elsewhere for their shopping.
The life from our town has been sucked out,
And nowadays there is hardly anyone about.
Local people go to other towns and cities:
That it has ended up this way, is a real pity.
The town's population is rapidly growing,
But trade in our shops is rapidly slowing.
Many units stand empty for years and years:
Owners found the rents were just way too dear.
We need some life breathed back into town;
We need to turn this situation back around.
Of help for new businesses, we need much more,
So that our town can be the place it was before.
poem by Angela Wybrow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Stranger In My Own Town
J. spinks, t. lewis
I still remember what I saw last night
Three small kids stealing money from a poor man
Now that aint right - no that aint right
Im still thinking bout the things I heard
Poor old man - he was frightened and afraid of every word
- and its all so absurd
But times are changing now an d I still care
There must be something we can do out there
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
I keep on walkin through these run down streets
Graffiti walls - this aint nothing like it used to be
Not for you or for me
This towns never been so down before
Looks like a photograph - someone mighta taken in
The second world war
Oh but what was that for
So many people gave their lives for this
Theres nothing left for us to reminisce
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
When those sad days were over
Im sure they all thought that weld won
But now as I look around
Were still invaded by everyone
Things wont ever be the same again
Ive not lost a town - Ive lost my only friend
Oh but where does it end
Well never change these times with good intent
But right now I know I dont feel content
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
Im like a stranger in my own town baby
song performed by by Outfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Poor Folks Town
The work is hard and the hours are long
The money aint much but we get along
Were rich in things can give
That cant be bought with a dollar bill
So, come on down
Have a look around
Rich folks livin in a poor folks town
We got no money but were rich in love
Thats one thing that weve got a-plenty of
So come on down have a look around
At rich folks livin in a poor folks town
We got no carpets on the floor
Weve got wall to wall love
Who could ask for more
We got no big fine things to show
Just a place to watch our children grow
We got no big fine fancy car to drive
And no fancy clothes to keep in style
What weve got were payin on
But its mostly love that were livin on
So, come on down
Have a look around
Rich folks livin in a poor folks town
We got no money but were rich in love
Thats one thing that weve got a-plenty of
So come on down have a look around
At rich folks livin in a poor folks town
Weve got a little simple church nearby
And the promise of a mansion in the sky
A heart of gold a million dollar smile
And a one way ticket to paradise
So, come on down
Have a look around
Rich folks livin in a poor folks town
We got no money but were rich in love
Thats one thing that weve got a-plenty of
So come on down have a look around
At rich folks livin in a poor folks town
So, come on down
Have a look around
Rich folks livin in a poor folks town
We got no money but were rich in love
Thats one thing that weve got a-plenty of
So come on down have a look around
At rich folks livin in a poor folks town
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Her Town Too
Shes been afraid to go out
Shes afraid of the knock on her door
Theres always a shade of a doubt
She can never be sure
Who comes to call
Maybe the friend of a friend of a friend
Anyone at all
Anything but nothing again
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
Seems like even her old girlfriends
Might be talking her down
Shes got her name on the grapevine
Running up and down
The telephone line
Talking bout
Someone said, someone said
Something bout, something else
Someone might have said about her
She always figured that they were her friends
But maybe they can live without her
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
It used to be her town
It used to be her town, too
Well, people got used to seeing them both together
But now hes gone and life goes on
Nothing lasts forever, oh no
She gets the house and the garden
He gets the boys in the band
Some of them his friends
Some of them her friends
Some of them understand
Lord knows that this is just a small town city
Yes, and everyone can see you fall
Its got nothing to do with pity
I just wanted to give you a call
It used to be your town
It used to be my town, too
You never know till it all falls down
Somebody loves you
Somebody loves you
Darling, somebody still loves you
I can still remember
When it used to be her town, too
It used to be your town
It used to be my town, too
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Stranger Than You
At a bar on 43rd at quarter to two
Met my friend the chinese elvis and hoisted a few
He talks like mickey mouse
And sees with x-ray eyes
Lives in a cardboard house
I almost gave him the prize
Until you
Came along - thanks for opening my eyes
Things you do - right or wrong
It should come as no surprise
When you live in a town where theres always somebody
Stranger than you
At 83rd and amsterdam theres an indian jew
Who pierced all his private parts with a permanent screw
He sleeps on a bed of nails
Which came from outer space
And in my taller tales
I gave him pride of place
Until you
Came along - thanks for opening my eyes
Things you do - right or wrong
It should come as no surprise
When you live in a town where theres always somebody stranger than you
Stranger than you
Im not complaining even though Im not sure what you are
Ive got the strangest feeling (good) about this love bizarre
I could have stayed in bed
H iding from this freaky show
Im happy that instead
I knew just where to go
When you came along - thanks for opening my eyes
Things you do - right or wrong
It should come as no surprise
When you live in a town where theres always somebody
Stranger than you
Are you a boy - are you a girl
Are you an oyster - are you a pearl
Are you a fish - are you a fowl?
Are you an angel - are you from hell
song performed by by Joe Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Kind Of Town
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of people too
People who,smile at you
And each time I leave, Chicago is
Tugging my sleave, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of razzmatazz
And it has, all that jazz
And each time I rome, Chicago is
Calling me home, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town
Chicago is
The Wrigley Building, Chicago is
The Union stock yard, Chicago is
One town that won't let you down
It's my
My kind of town
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shakedown Street
You tell me this town aint got no heart. well, well, well, you can never tell.
The sunny side of the street is dark. well, well, well, you can never tell.
Maybe thats cause its midnight, in the dark of the moon besides.
Maybe the dark is from your eyes, maybe the dark is from your eyes,
Maybe the dark is from your eyes, maybe the dark is from your eyes,
Maybe the dark is from your eyes, maybe the dark is from your eyes,
You know you got such dark eyes!
Nothin shakin on shakedown street. used to be the heart of town.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart. you just gotta poke around.
You think youve seen this town clear through.
Well, well, well, you can never tell.
Nothin here that could intrest you. well, well, well, you can never tell.
Its not because you missed out on the thing that we had to start.
Maybe you had too much too fast. maybe you had too much too fast.
Maybe you had too much too fast. maybe you had too much too fast.
Maybe you had too much too fast. maybe you had too much too fast.
Or just over played your part.
Nothin shakin on shakedown street. used to be the heart of town.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart. you just gotta poke around.
Since Im passing your way today. well, well, well, you can never tell.
I just stopped in cause I want to say, well, well, well, you can never tell.
I recall your darkness when it crackled like a thundercloud.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart.
When I can hear it beat out loud!
Nothin shakin on shakedown street. used to be the heart of town.
Dont tell me this town aint got no heart. you just gotta poke around.
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rocket Town
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Every time I see you baby(hey yeah, hey yeah)
There's always a tear to be found(hey yeah, hey yeah)
This request just won't stop coming(hey yeah, hey yeah)
So come with me now(go Fred go, go Fred go)
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Every time you keep me guessing(hey yeah, hey yeah)
It's always the same run around(hey yeah, hey yeah)
Ammunition won't stop gunning(hey yeah, hey yeah)
So come with me now(go Fred go, go Fred go)
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Rocket town is a state of mind
Close your eyes, it ain't hard to find
Everytime I taste your honey
There's always a sting to be found
This suggestion won't stop buzzin'(hey yeah, hey yeah)
So come with me now(go Fred go, go Fred go)
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Let me take you down down down to rocket town
Yeah we're going down down down to rocket town
Hey yeah, hey yeah, let me take you down
Ooh hey yeah
Rocket town is a state of mind(go Fred go, go Fred go)
Close your eyes, it ain't hard to find
Rocket town is an attitude
Good for the head
Mental food(repeat)
song performed by by Right Said Fred
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The 'Yes' People
What has happened to those,
Who openly expessed their opinions?
Those who spoke about and exposed injustices?
'They were escorted out of town.'
And the folks over there,
With those glazed eyes.
And appearing surprisingly happy?
'They are referred to as the 'yes' people.
They are only allowed to complain,
Amongst themselves.'
And you?
Who are you?
'Me?
I am one of the many tourists,
Who pay good money annually...
To watch this attraction.'
But you 'must' feel an obligation to stop this?
You do...don't you?
'Well,
I do admit there is a conflict of interest.
On the one hand I feel I should do something.
However...
I am told,
Part of the fee I pay...
Goes towards the wardrobes the people wear.
And as I understand it,
The 'officials' are able to claim them as property.
Which helps pay the town's taxes.
And the people could care less,
As long as they are fed and dressed.
With weekends off to drink and party! '
Oh.
Oh?
OH! !
So I do feel I am participating to affect a good cause.
Oh.
Oh?
OH! !
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Nobody Gets Off In This Town
Nobody gets off in this town
Trains dont even slow down
My high school sweethearts married and gone
They met on a bus to san antone
The greyhound stops! somebody gets on
But nobody gets off in this town
Nobody gets off in this town
Old folks round here wear a frown
Now let me see if I can set the scene
Its a one-dog town and hes old and mean
Theres one stop light but its always green
Nobody gets off in this town
Nobody gets off in this town
High school colors are brown
They cant drag main because it kicks up dust
Their cars and their dreams are all starting to rust
The high school dances are always a bust
Nobody gets off in this town
Nobody gets off in this town
They oughta just tear it down
Cause in the winter you freeze and in the summer you fry
Utility bills the only thing that gets high
Id go for a drink but this county is dry
Nobody gets off
Nobody gets off
Nobody gets off in this square old merry-go-round
No, nobody gets off in this town
song performed by by Garth Brooks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dream Town
Now who is ready to go with me
Off and away to dream town?
Oh, such a journey as that will be,
All dressed in a snow white gown.
No shoe or stocking, they think it shocking
To wear such things in dream town street,
For it's paved with posies and leaves of roses,
So nothing can hurt your feet.
We leave our baggage and clothes behind
When we set out on this jaunt,
The folks who live there are very kind,
They give us whatever we want;
Sometimes a dolly we take, if she's jolly
And good all the day before.
But they've dolls without number in that land of slumber,
And of toys there's a wonderful store.
We shut up our eyes when we set out,
Though why I never have guessed,
There's some good reason I haven't a doubt,
Since every one says it is best.
I think we go faster and keep off disaster,
By folding our eyelids down;
By dropping that curtain I'm almost certain,
The sooner we get to dream town.
Just inside of the city gate,
Smiling and rosy and bright,
The boys and the girls of dream town wait
To play with us all the night.
So rocking and rocking, without shoe or stocking,
All dressed in a little white gown,
Singing and humming, we're coming, we're coming
Into the gates of dream town.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lyin' Eyes
City girls just seem to find out early
How to open doors with just a smile
A rich old man and she won't have to worry
She'll dress up all in lace and go in style
Late at night a big old house gets lonely
I guess every form refuge has its price
And it breaks her heart to think her love is only
Given to a man with hands as cold as ice
So she tells him she must go out for the evening
To comfort an old friend who's feeling down
But he knows where she's going as she's leaving
She is headed for the cheatin' side of town
You can't hide your lyin' eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you'd realize
There ain't no way to hide your lyin' eyes
On the other side of town a boy is waiting
With firey eyes and dreams no one could steal
She drives on through the night anticipating
'Cause he makes her feel the way she used to feel
She rushes to his arms
song performed by by Eagles
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lyin' Eyes
City girls just seem to find out early
How to open doors with just a smile
A rich old man
And she won't have to worry
She'll dress up all in lace and go in style
Late at night a big old house gets lonely
I guess ev'ry form of refuge has its price
And it breaks her heart to think her love is
Only given to a man with hands as cold as ice
So she tells him she must go out for the evening
To comfort an old friend who's feelin' down
But he knows where she's goin' as she's leavin'
She is headed for the cheatin' side of town
You can't hide your lyin' eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you'd realize
There ain't no way to hide your lyin eyes
On the other side of town a boy is waiting
with fiery eyes and dreams no one could steal
She drives on through the nice anticipating
'Cause he makes her feel the way she used to feel
She rushes to his arms
song performed by by Eagles from One of These Nights
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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This Fire Burns Tonight
White lines on the highway
Rolling out into the night
Got no bag to slow us down
Were travelling light, travelling light tonight
Feel the wheels roll away
How many miles have I been gone
Listen girl you never knew
The road goes on all night long
*this fire burns tonight
The streets are alight
Out on this town we are bursting
This fire burns tonight
The streets are alight
(and) out on this town we are bursting
Now me and my partners are moving
We run on from town to town
And this here road surface
Is setting them up rolling them down
Theres girls out in the neon
Singing blues every night
And you that theyll never love you
Theyre travelling light, travelling light
(repeat* 3 times)
song performed by by Ufo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Our Town
Written by ricky & marty wilde
This is your town, this is my place
This is where my whole world is lived in
Nothing much, and just out of reach of all the city lights
Its a high town, its a low town
Its get here, come on you grow town
No-one does, but everyone thinks theyre gonna make it soon
This is one place I respected
Now I feel its really dejected
No-one cares and the people just stare
And a man on the box says
Hey you, dont walk away, vote for me
Youll get more pay, keep working hard
But they work slow
Here it comes now, sunday morning
Just another sleepy town yawning
Down below everything looks just like another day
But, in the warm glow of the sunrise
Theres a child whos searching with young eyes
Looking round and feeling inside hes gonna fly away
There was one time I was leaving
But the folks around me kept grieving
Friends said go, but my dad said no
And my mum kept saying
Dont go, dont go away
Dont leave us, youve got to stay
Just raise them kids, oh mother no
No prospects, just projects
Dont try to tell me were living
Theres no real need to try
Cant you see this town gonna die
Hail the new age, its a rat cage
Join the place for breeding dumb spieces
All stacked up and doing whatever someone tells you to
Burn the place down, make it dead ground
Show the people just what theyre missing
Wake up, wake up, cant you believe in what Im telling you
Theres a house where I was born in
Now its changed without any warning
Cranes just crash and bricks just smash
While a billboards saying
Lets go, lets get away
Come fly me, youve weeks to pay
When sunshine calls, but I wont go
This is our town
song performed by by Kim Wilde
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A stranger in the town
For years I have walked in these lanes
I know each brick and each pane
The same paths and the gardens
But today I am a stranger in the town
I see the same faces
Same people, same personalities
Walking, talking, stopping, scheming
I say hello and move on
Because today I am a stranger in the town.
I want you, I feel you
I desire you, I admire you
But today when I see you
I pretend otherwise
As today I am a stranger in the town
poem by Praveen Ranjan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Zimbabwe Rose
She brought such colour to our town her and her flowery clothes
With her dark and wavy curling hair the dark Zimbabwe rose
Her smile lit up the dullest day the warmth in her hello
And she will make many new friends where ever she will go.
A young woman in her early twenties her beauty I recall
And I a male of average height beside her did seem small
Yet she was not conceited and she was free of guile
And how her white teeth glittered each time that she did smile.
The Autumn weather here for her too cold she missed the warm sunshine
And for her home in Africa Zimbabwe's rose did pine
She went back to her Homeland we miss her happy face
And the Town now without her seems much a duller place.
She missed her family and friends and her Homeland far away
And the weather far too cold for her so here she did not stay
She brought such colour to our Town her and her flowery clothes
And we who knew her miss her so the dark Zimbabwe Rose.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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