About the song
Harry Chapin, a folk singer renowned for his storytelling abilities and socially conscious lyrics, penned “A Better Place to Be” as a hopeful anthem of resilience and optimism. This uplifting track, released in 1975, became a popular addition to Chapin’s live performances and a beloved song among his dedicated fanbase.
With his distinctive raspy voice and heartfelt delivery, Chapin paints a picture of a world facing challenges but also filled with potential. The song explores themes of perseverance, unity, and the belief in a brighter future. Through introspective lyrics and Chapin’s emotive vocals, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and find inspiration in the face of adversity.
The opening lines, “There’s a better place to be, a place where love is free,” set the stage for a song that celebrates the power of hope and the possibility of a better world. Chapin acknowledges the challenges and injustices that exist, but he remains steadfast in his belief that humanity can overcome them. The song’s refrain, “We’ll find a better place to be, a place where love is free,” conveys a sense of optimism and a shared desire for a more harmonious future.
Throughout the song, Chapin uses vivid imagery and relatable anecdotes to illustrate his vision of a better world. He references the “old familiar faces” who have inspired him and the “new, young faces” who represent the hope for the future. The lyrics evoke a sense of unity and a shared responsibility to create a more just and equitable society.
“A Better Place to Be” is more than just a hopeful song; it is a call to action. Chapin encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and work together towards a common goal. The song’s message of resilience and optimism resonates with audiences of all ages, reminding us of the power of hope and the importance of striving for a better world. This timeless classic continues to inspire and uplift listeners, serving as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Video
Lyrics
It was an early morning bar room,
And the place just opened up.
And the little man come in so fast and
Started at his cup.
And the broad who served the whisky
She was a big old friendly girl.
And she tried to fight her empty nights
By smilin’ at the world.
And she said “Hey Bub, It’s been awhile
Since you been around.
Where the hell you been hidin’?
And why you look so down?”
But the little man just sat there like he’d never heard a sound.
The waitress she gave out with a cough,
And acting not the least put off,
She spoke once again.
She said, “I don’t want to bother you,
Consider it’s understood.
I know I’m not no beauty queen,
But I sure can listen good.”
And the little man took his drink in his hand
And he raised it to his lips.
He took a couple of sips.
And he told the waitress this story.
“I am the midnight watchman down at Miller’s Tool and Die.
And I watch the metal rusting, and I watch the time go by.
A week ago at the diner I stopped to get a bite.
And this here lovely lady she sat two seats from my right.
And Lord, Lord, Lord she was alright.
“Well, she was so damned beautiful she could warm a winter’s frost.
But she was long past lonely, and well nigh kinda lost.
Now I’m not much of a mover, or a pick-em-up easy guy,
But I decided to glide on over, and give her one good try.
And Lord, Lord, Lord she was worth a try.
“I was Tongued-tied like a school boy, and I stammered out some words.
But it did not seem to matter much, ’cause I don’t think she heard.
She just looked clear on through me to a space back in my head.
And it shamed me into silence, as quietly she said,
‘If you want me to come with you, then that’s all right with me.
Cause I know I’m going nowhere, and anywhere’s a better place to be.
Anywhere’s a better place to be.’
“I drove her to my boarding house, and I took her up to my room.
And I went to turn on the only light to brighten up the gloom.
But she said, ‘Please leave the light off, Oh I don’t mind the dark.’
And as her clothes all tumbled ’round her, I could hear my heart.
The moonlight SHONE upon her as she lay back in my bed.
It was the kind of scene I only had imagined in my head.
I just could not believe it, to think that she was real.
And as I tried to tell her she said ‘Shhh. I know just how you feel.
And if you want to come here with me, then that’s all right with me.
‘Cause I’ve been oh so lonely, lovin’ someone is a better way to be.
anywhere’s a better way to be.’
“The morning came so swiftly as I held her in my arms.
But she slept like a baby, snug and safe from harm.
I did not want to share her or dare to break the mood,
So before she woke I went out to buy us both some food.
“I came back with my paper bag, to find that she was gone.
She’d left a six word letter saying ‘It’s time that I moved on.'”
The waitress took her bar rag, and she wiped it across her eyes.
And as she spoke her voice came out as something like a sigh.
She said “I wish that I was beautiful, or that you were halfway blind.
And I wish I weren’t so god-damned fat, I wish that you were mine.
And I wish that you’d come with me, when I leave for home.
For we both know all about loneliness, and livin’ all alone.”
And the little man,
Looked at the empty glass in his hand.
And he smiled a crooked grin,
He said, ” I guess I’m out of gin.
And know we both have been so lonely.
And if you want me to come with you, then that’s all right with me.
‘Cause I know I’m goin’ nowhere and anywhere’s a better place to be.”