Once had an assignment in College. Univ of Maryland.
Needed to write a paper concerning a song and what it reflects in the World today.
Others were doing stuff like "Born Free" "Born in the USA" dumb stuff.
I picked "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles.
I turned it in and the Professor shot me a look that has "As If this will fly" glare.
_____________________________ _____________________________ __________
Ah, look at all the lonely people (dispaired)
Ah, look at all the lonely people (forgotten)
Eleanor rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been (past memories)
Lives in a dream (Struggling for belief that some how something will become better)
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door (Smiles as she begs)
Who is it for? (Please look upon me, the downtrodden)
All the lonely people (Homeless)
Where do they all come from ? (Failed Society)
All the lonely people (Countless numbers)
Where do they all belong ? (We are not Castaways)
Father mckenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear (The homeless are now faceless, Eleanor becomes a no one)
No one comes near. (Eleanor has now lost her name)
Look at him working. darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care? (The Church acknowleges this and turns a blind eye)
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Eleanor rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name (a nobody nameless person)
Nobody came (she was there)
Father mckenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave (washed his hands from any responsibility)
No one was saved (Eleanor was saved)
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
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Now with each above comment I wrote a good paragraph or two..those just gave you an insight of where I was going with the song.
A week later the Professor handed out the papers...told me to wait... I'm thinkin ohhh crap I screwed this up badly. I stayed and he handed me my paper back.
He amazed me when he said he was a huge fan of the Beatles and John Lennon. Said he never looked at this song that way.
I hope the next time you hear this song...listen to the meaning.
The homeless have names and faces...they all once had lives as you and I have.
Just sharing,
Mac
