John Denver's song "Waiting For A Train" tells the story of a wandering traveler who is stranded and homeless, trying to hitch a ride on a train. The lyrics describe the protagonist's experience being far away from home, sleeping in the rain and seeking assistance from a brakeman. The protagonist approaches the brakeman to strike up a conversation, hoping for some support. However, the brakeman tells him that if he has money, he will ensure the protagonist doesn't have to walk. Unfortunately, the traveler confesses that he doesn't even have a nickel to his name, resulting in the brakeman abruptly rejecting him and shutting the boxcar door. In the following verse, the protagonist is left in Texas, a state he holds affection for due to its vast open spaces and the beauty of the moon and stars above. Yet, the traveler feels unwanted and sees no one willing to lend him a helping hand as he embarks on his journey from San Francisco back to Dixieland (referring to the southeastern region of the United States). Struggling with an empty pocketbook and carrying the weight of a heavy heart, the protagonist finds himself a thousand miles away from home, simply waiting for a train that might offer him solace and a way back to where he belongs. Overall, John Denver's "Waiting For A Train" reflects the hardships faced by those who are homeless and desperate, searching for a sense of belonging and a means to return to a place they can genuinely call home.
