The song tells the story of a woman waiting for her man to come home after a year-long absence. The first verse describes the woman's longing for her man and the second verse depicts the town's knowledge of her situation. In the third verse, the singers offer her a remedy to her loneliness and suggest that they will help her pass the time until her man returns. The fourth verse introduces Ivor the Engine Driver, who knows the woman's man and offers her comfort. The fifth and sixth verses feature a chorus of “Fa la la la la”s and a cello solo, respectively, as the woman is finally forgiven for her indiscretions. Green Day's cover of The Who's classic rock song is a powerful and emotional tribute to the struggles of those who are separated from their loved ones.
Themes:
- Longing for a lost loved one
- Comfort in the face of sadness
- Forgiveness
Analysis
The themes of longing for a lost loved one and comfort in the face of sadness are common themes in Green Day's music. This song is no different, as the lyrics describe a woman whose man has been gone for a year and she is waiting for him to come home. The chorus provides comfort to her, saying that they have a remedy and that her man will soon be home. The theme of forgiveness is also present in the song, as the lyrics mention the protagonist kissing a few people and taking a nap with Ivor the engine driver. This theme is similar to other Green Day songs such as "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," both of which are about letting go and forgiving someone.