I am in Baraboo Wisconsin today.  I am alone, with a cup of coffee on an outside patio.  The crows in the woods behind me are noisily conferring. 

I heard this song on the radio yesterday. Goodby Stranger was featured in Breakfast in America an album by the British group Supertramp, released in 1979.  I’ve listened on past occasions and liked the strong melody line, and the guitar solo at the end.  Yesterday I felt the abysmal loneliness of the story.   Loneliness is a consequence of a series of brief encounters, a mutual-using without genuine openness or the labor necessary to creating a mutual and shared future.  Goodbye stranger are the last words to be said.

The story line on it’s face is about a young male who revels in one night stands.  He is adverse to intimacy.  He “knows” that his way of life will not last forever.  All are mortal, and youth fades.  Thus the ironic tone of the story. 

Breakfast in Baraboo. 

Or breakfast in America, a nation of strangers linked by the economy, by money, — and little else… 

Is it early morning?  And is goodbye stranger the last words to be said?

Goodbye Stranger

By Supertramp

It was an early morning yesterday
I was up before the dawn
And I really have enjoyed my stay
But I must be moving on

Like a king without a castle
Like a queen without a throne
I’m an early morning lover
And I must be moving on

Now I believe in what you say
Is the undisputed truth
But I have to have things my own way
To keep me in my youth

Like a ship without an anchor
Like a slave without a chain
Just the thought of those sweet ladies
Sends a shiver through my veins

And I will go on shining
Shining like brand new
I’ll never look behind me
My troubles will be few

Goodbye stranger it’s been nice
Hope you find your paradise
Tried to see your point of view
Hope your dreams will all come true
Goodbye Mary, Goodbye Jane
Will we ever meet again
Feel no sorrow, feel no shame
Come tomorrow, feel no pain

Now some they do and some they don’t
And some you just can’t tell
And some they will and some they won’t
With some it’s just as well

You can laugh at my behavior
That’ll never bother me
Say the devil is my savior
But I don’t pay no heed

And I will go on shining
Shining like brand new
I’ll never look behind me
My troubles will be few
Goodbye stranger it’s been nice etc…

Lyrics written by:  Rick Davies, Charles Hodgson