Meaning of "Gotta Travel On" by Bob Dylan

"Gotta Travel On" by Bob Dylan reflects a common theme in folk music, the idea of restlessness and the need for change. The song captures the feeling of being stuck in a place for too long and the desire to break free, to move on to new experiences and new places. The changing seasons serve as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change, while Papa writing to Johnny emphasizes the idea of being disconnected from loved ones due to the road and the constant need to keep moving. The mention of a lonesome freight train passing through town adds to the sense of longing and the desire to be on the move. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of wanderlust and the yearning for freedom and adventure that often accompanies it.