☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the story of a 'drifter' or 'soldier of fortune' who is constantly on the move and has no stability.
- The protagonist longs for a deep and meaningful relationship and enjoys sharing his songs and stories.
- He feels old and his past experiences and memories seem to drift further and further into the past.
- The repeated refrain suggests that he believes he will never find the stability and love he is searching for.
- The pessimism in his belief of having to keep searching could indicate previous disappointments or failures.
Interpretation
The song 'Soldier of Fortune' by
Deep Purple tells the story of a wandering adventurer in search of love and stability. The narrator has spent his life as a 'drifter', meaning he is constantly seeking new experiences and adventures and has no fixed home.
The lyrics 'I have often told you stories / About the way / I lived the life of a drifter / Waiting for the day / When I'd take your hand / And sing you songs' depict the protagonist's desire for a deep and meaningful relationship. He longs to share his songs with someone and find love.
However, throughout the song, it becomes evident that the protagonist feels old and the songs he has sung 'Echo in the distance / Like the sound / Of a windmill goin' 'round'. This could signify that he feels his time may be running out or that his past experiences and memories are increasingly distant.
The repeated refrain 'I guess I'll always be / A soldier of fortune' shows that he believes he will always be a 'soldier of fortune', indicating that he thinks he will always be searching and never find the stability he yearns for. This pessimism could indicate past disappointments or failures in love.