Meaning of "How Can You Keep Moving (Unless You Migrate Too)" by Ry Cooder

The lyrics reflect the struggles of marginalized communities or individuals who are forced to constantly relocate, whether due to economic hardship, gentrification, or discrimination. The narrator's inability to go back to their homestead or find a stable place to live illustrates the harsh reality faced by many who are pushed out of their homes and not given the opportunity to thrive. The song highlights the injustice of being told to keep moving without being able to actually find a place to settle down and build a life. It addresses themes of displacement, rootlessness, and the search for belonging in a world that often rejects those who are most vulnerable. The repeated refrain of "how can you keep moving unless you migrate too" underscores the irony and impossibility of the situation faced by the narrator, who is caught in a cycle of displacement with no clear path forward.