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U2 — The Wanderer (w/ Johnny Cash)
Album: Zooropa
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 587









Released: 1993
Length: 4:38
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I went out walking through streets paved with gold
Lifted some stones, saw the skin and bones
Of a city without a soul
I went out walking under an atomic sky
Where the ground won't turn and the rain it burns
Like the tears when I said goodbye

Yeah, I went with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering

I went drifting through the capitals of tin
Where men can't walk or freely talk
And sons turn their fathers in
I stopped outside a church house
Where the citizens like to sit
They say they want the kingdom
But they don't want God in it

I went out riding down that old eight-lane
I passed by a thousand signs looking for my own name
I went with nothing but the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you

I went out there in search of experience
To taste and to touch and to feel as much
As a man can before he repents

I went out searching, looking for one good man
A spirit who would not bend or break
Who would sit at his father's right hand
I went out walking with a bible and a gun
The word of God lay heavy on my heart
I was sure I was the one

Now Jesus, don't you wait up, Jesus I'll be home soon
Yeah, I went out for the papers, told her I'd be back by noon
Yeah, I left with nothing but the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you

Yeah, I left with nothing, nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering
Comments (21)add comment
 SgtBeefheart wrote:

Lyrics could have been by Leonard Cohen?

Excellent



The melody isn't a million miles away from one of Leonard's either... 
 romangaslan wrote:

There's sadly so much vile hate here for U2 but in any case I think Zooropa was very underrated. 



That was the one where he was a male model?  #BlueSteel 
yeah, it is a land where we turn our fathers in. Too bad their behaviour warrants it. Moral compass gives moral direction. We give ourselves moral courage. 
 aspicer wrote:

FANTASTIC to hear this on RP for the first time, surprisingly. 

And one of my favorite U2 albums too BTW (despite the dismay of some of our RP friends I'm sure). This tour was unbelievable.



They had the song on here years ago, then dropped it and here it is again!
 alrb1162 wrote:


I believe it sounds like Cash because it is he.


..and I think he means Paul Hewson.
This is my favorite U2 Song of all time.  Not even sung by Bono.  
I am serious. 
Love this
FANTASTIC to hear this on RP for the first time, surprisingly. 

And one of my favorite U2 albums too BTW (despite the dismay of some of our RP friends I'm sure). This tour was unbelievable.
The best U2 Song of all time.

Lyrics + Cash! 
Lyrics could have been by Leonard Cohen?

Excellent
As someone who bought U2 war on LP.  

This album has been my fav. 
This song is the best on it.  Dirty Day - a close 2nd. 
There's sadly so much vile hate here for U2 but in any case I think Zooropa was very underrated. 
This is quite excellent. 8
If I recall, this record was made on the road, while they were touring in support of Achtung Baby. The band was in the clubs, ingesting a lot of dance music ( you can hear it in "Lemon") in Europe and recorded this quickly compared to earlier efforts.
This was an interesting period for U2, for me, the world... Fairly newly wed, I had just moved to take charge of a private English school in remote Noto Hanto, and was still adjusting to their new directions in the mind-blowing Achtung, Baby! when this came along... It was -- different, as are each of their efforts, and I was able to appreciate and admire much of it, though not immediately. It did indeed result in a resurgence in appreciation of Johnny Cash, which I thought was deserved. I liked Lemon, but this was also unique, relevant, and cool...
 paloeguevo wrote:

My introduction to cash. What a great track from and incredible album.



Same here! It made me a huge fan of Cash's work from the later years of his life, and it's one of my favorite ever collaborations. 
Love this unique sound, lyrics and vocals. 
 sunybuny wrote:

Why does this sound more Johnny Cash than Paul Hewitt?



I believe it sounds like Cash because it is he.
 sunybuny wrote:

Why does this sound more Johnny Cash than Paul Hewitt?




Coz it's Johnny Cash featuring U2
My introduction to cash. What a great track from and incredible album.
Why does this sound more Johnny Cash than Paul Hewitt?