Buffalo In The Park

Anne Murray's 'Buffalo In The Park' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time. The song opens with a vivid image of a buffalo in a park, a place the narrator used to visit after dark. This buffalo, likely a statue or a landmark, symbolizes a simpler, more carefree time in the narrator's life. The act of climbing the buffalo and picking between its arms evokes a sense of childhood innocence and adventure, a stark contrast to the present where the narrator no longer visits this cherished place.

The lyrics then shift to a more introspective tone, reflecting on the journey from childhood to adulthood. Phrases like 'Up the left and down the snow' and 'Muddy wrong' suggest the trials and errors of growing up. The mention of 'childish thing' indicates a longing for the simplicity and purity of youth. The narrator reminisces about watching their children play, a time when 'day time worries never cloud my mind.' This line highlights the carefree nature of childhood and the inevitable worries that come with adulthood.

As the song progresses, the narrator grapples with the passage of time and the changes it brings. The buffalo remains a constant, a symbol of the past that still holds significance. The imagery of 'bails and buckets in the stand' and 'tiny hand' evokes a sense of loss and longing for the days gone by. The song's melancholic tone is underscored by the realization that while the buffalo and the memories it represents remain, the narrator's life has moved on, and they can no longer return to that simpler time. 'Buffalo In The Park' is a beautiful, bittersweet reflection on the inevitability of change and the enduring power of memory.