I agree folks either love it or hate it. I, too, love it. It starts out kind of square (ie, not hip), but gets better with ".. when all the stars ..."
It is one of those tunes left up to the interpretation of the listener. For me, I don't think the melancholy man is God or Jesus (neither would be melancholy even at the end of the world - also, they would see what you and I see).
But, rather, he is one of the "good men this world's ever known", one, in particular, that has had a lot to say.
To me, this would be a classic author or songwriter, one who comments on the state of humanity (Twain, Dickens, John Lennon, etc.) Often these are truly good men, but not particularly happy since they see and write about the state of human affairs.
What I cannot reconcile with this interpretation is "he can't see what you and I can see". Usually a wise old commentator on the state of humanity can see what you and I see. My best guess is if you and I are blissfully ignorant, happy people, and the melancholy man cannot see the little things that make us happy.
I agree folks either love it or hate it. I, too, love it. It starts out kind of square (ie, not hip), but gets better with ".. when all the stars ..."
It is one of those tunes left up to the interpretation of the listener. For me, I don't think the melancholy man is God or Jesus (neither would be melancholy even at the end of the world - also, they would see what you and I see).
But, rather, he is one of the "good men this world's ever known", one, in particular, that has had a lot to say.
To me, this would be a classic author or songwriter, one who comments on the state of humanity (Twain, Dickens, John Lennon, etc.) Often these are truly good men, but not particularly happy since they see and write about the state of human affairs.
What I cannot reconcile with this interpretation is "he can't see what you and I can see". Usually a wise old commentator on the state of humanity can see what you and I see. My best guess is if you and I are blissfully ignorant, happy people, and the melancholy man cannot see the little things that make us happy.