I Was Born Under a Wandering Star

Lee Marvin's "I Was Born Under a Wandering Star" is a song that encapsulates the essence of a restless spirit, one that is perpetually on the move, seeking new horizons and experiences. The lyrics convey a deep sense of wanderlust and the inevitability of a nomadic life for the narrator. The repeated line 'I was born under a wandrin' star' suggests that the narrator believes his fate was sealed from birth to lead a life of constant travel, never settling in one place for too long.

The song also touches on the hardships and the bittersweet nature of a wanderer's life. The lines 'Mud can make you prisoner and the plains can bake you dry' and 'Snow can burn your eyes, but only people make you cry' reflect the physical challenges of the natural world as well as the emotional pain that can come from human interactions. The notion that 'Home is made for coming from, for dreams of going to' speaks to the idea that for some, the concept of home is more about leaving and the journey itself than about arriving or staying put.

The philosophical musings in the song, such as 'Do I know where hell is, hell is in hello / Heaven is goodbye forever, it's time for me to go,' suggest a deeper reflection on life and death, and the transient nature of human connections. The wanderer's desire for freedom is so strong that even in death, he wishes to be tied to a tree in heaven, indicating a never-ending desire to roam. This song, with its rich imagery and contemplative lyrics, is a tribute to those who find their home in the journey, not the destination.