Lyrics To Wandering Star From Paint Your Wagon
Introduction
"Wandering Star" is a song from the famous musical "Paint Your Wagon". The song was written by Alan Jay Lerner and music was composed by Frederick Loewe. The musical was first staged in 1951, and the song "Wandering Star" was an instant hit. The song is sung by the character Ben Rumson, who is played by Lee Marvin in the musical. The song is a classic example of a Western song, and it has been covered by many artists over the years. This article will discuss the lyrics of "Wandering Star" and the meaning behind them.
Verse 1
I was born under a wand'rin' star
I was born under a wand'rin' star
Wheels are made for rollin'
Mules are made to pack
I've never seen a sight that didn't look better lookin' back
I was born under a wand'rin' star
Mud can make you prisoner and the plains can bake you dry
Snow can burn your eyes, but only people make you cry
Home is made for comin' from, for dreams of goin' to
The first verse of the song talks about the narrator's birth under a wandering star. The lyrics describe how the narrator feels that he was destined to wander and travel, and that he was born under a star that guides him on his journey. The verse also talks about how the narrator has never seen anything that didn't look better looking back, which suggests that he has a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The verse ends with a reflection on the idea of home, and how it is a place to come from and a place to dream of going to.
Chorus
I was born under a wand'rin' star
Do I know where hell is, hell is in hello
Heaven is goodbye forever, it's time for me to go
I was born under a wand'rin' star
A wand'rin', wand'rin' star
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the narrator was born under a wandering star, and it also introduces the idea of hell and heaven. The lyrics suggest that hell is in saying hello, which could mean that the narrator doesn't like to stay in one place for too long and gets bored easily. The idea of heaven being goodbye forever suggests that the narrator is always looking for new adventures and experiences.
Verse 2
I've got a papeete on my mind
La soleil etait fort, et la mer etait belle
I wanted more than life could ever grant me
Boredom and booze became my best of friends
I was born under a wand'rin' star
A wand'rin', wand'rin' star
The second verse of the song talks about the narrator's desire for more than life could ever grant him. The lyrics suggest that he is always looking for new experiences and adventures, and that he feels confined by the limitations of everyday life. The verse also introduces the idea of boredom and booze becoming the narrator's best friends, which suggests that he uses these vices to escape from the monotony of life.
Chorus
I was born under a wand'rin' star
Do I know where hell is, hell is in hello
Heaven is goodbye forever, it's time for me to go
I was born under a wand'rin' star
A wand'rin', wand'rin' star
Verse 3
I was born under a wand'rin' star
When I get to heaven, tie me to a tree
Or I'll begin to roam, and soon you'll know where I will be
I was born under a wand'rin' star
A wand'rin', wand'rin' star
The third verse of the song talks about the narrator's desire to continue wandering even after he dies. The lyrics suggest that the narrator wants to be tied to a tree in heaven so that he doesn't wander off and get lost. The verse ends with a repetition of the idea that the narrator was born under a wandering star, which reinforces the idea that he is destined to wander.
Conclusion
"Wandering Star" is a classic Western song that has stood the test of time. The lyrics of the song capture the spirit of adventure and wanderlust that is often associated with the American West. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, and it continues to be a favorite among fans of Western music. The lyrics of "Wandering Star" remind us that there is a part of us that longs to explore and wander, and that we should embrace that part of ourselves and follow our dreams.