Song for a town by Björn Jakobsson

Treplektra records (BeJiCD201)

All songs written by Björn Jakobsson
recorded January-April 2001 in Perch Alley Studios Luleå, issued June 2001

A sad song about my home town that I felt was falling apart and dying, and the idea that to be able to survive mentally and physically, one would have to abandon it. I left my home town around 5 years after the song was written, it was as if I already knew I would, and probably I did.

Lyrics:

Another grey removal van prepares to leave the town
The man puts on his raincoat, kicks the tyres with a frown
It’s time to leave the home town – his home for all these years
He bites his lips and blows his nose, but still can’t fight the tears
There’s no work, there’s no future, and there’s no other way to go
He hasn’t got a choice that’s why he’s feeling low
There will be many hours driving, until he finally will arrive
His dear hometown is dying, but he, he must survive

Home sweet home – I don’t care how sweet you are!
Someday you must show that you really care
Why should we care for you if you don’t care for us
Consideration is something that you share
I think that idea is pretty fair!

He’s looking on his wristwatch – it’s time to toddle on
His friends has left some years ago – his enemies too are gone
The new place in the new town will probably be all right
But the home is still the home, and the memories are bright
It’s sad to see a town die, especially by its own hand
It’s sad to see the diamond stars reduced to shabby sand
But the strong survives and the weak will die – that’s the scenery today
So he entered the van, closed the door, and then he drove away

Home sweet home – I don’t care how sweet you are…