Meaning of "500 Miles" by Sonny & Cher

The repetitive mention of being five hundred miles away from home creates a sense of longing and isolation. The train imagery suggests a journey, possibly a metaphor for life's journey and the inevitability of moving forward even if it means leaving things behind. The narrator's lack of possessions and money underscores a feeling of being lost and helpless. Overall, the song conveys themes of distance, loneliness, and the longing for home, evoking a bittersweet sense of nostalgia and yearning for a place of comfort and belonging.