John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford
John is walking through the streets, watching the lives people are living within the windows he passes. He longs for a life within, away from the lonely life he is walking.
The song could also be more metaphorical, describing a person who is closed off from him emotionally.
On these vacant streets of nightfall
Try to fool myself, I don't know where I'm going
And these gutters that I'm walking
The reflection of a thousand windows glowing
Some are laughing, some are crying
Some are yawning as I quickly pass them by
Something moving back behind
I hear a bumping, or a sneeze, sometimes a sigh
All those windows, pretty windows
Each contain their private dramas
I just pass outside just glancing up in vain
The flowers grow in boredom
And the curtains hang to mock me
Is there not a chance that i might venture in?
(Instrumental Break)
But the empty windows of your eyes
The shades are down to block my gaze within
Your door is shut and boarded up
I stand in silence shivering in the rain
And the wind that bangs a garbage can
Just echoes insults deep within my tortured soul
It says "move on 'ye barefoot boy
There are no windows here for you."
The minutes whisper "time for you to go"
All those windows, pretty windows
Fading back into their hallways
I just stand outside and watch them both in vain
The paint just peels in boredom
And the cobwebs hang to mock me
Is there not a chance that I might venture in?
(Instrumental Outro)
Windows was written by John Hartford.
Windows was produced by Felton Jarvis.