What is a lineman, as in the song Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell?

Answer 1

A lineman is someone who goes out an repairs either power lines or telephone lines.

A lineman many times works alone driving to the sites that require his presence. He has a lot of time alone with his thoughts as he's driving along.

I can imagine Glen Campbell going along a lonesome stretch of highway on his way to check a line thinking about the woman he loves and deciding he wants to propose to her.

Answer 2

I think in the song he is a telephone line man
Wichita Lineman

Artist: Glen Campbell (peak Billboard position # 3 in 1968-69)
Words and Music by Jimmy Webb

I am a lineman for the county and I drive the main road
Searchin' in the sun for another overload
I hear you singin' in the wire, I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation but it don't look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south won't ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

Answer 3

It's not about a telephone service repairman like the other people mentioned. The song is about a truck driver. The slang term "lineman" means truck driver.

Answer 4

I've been told that the Wichita lineman is about a sniper who was on duty at the time of the Vietnam war, who was from Wichita. The linesman is the sniper because he lines them up in the sight of the rifle.

Answer 5

The telephone line repairman, you know the telephone poles all along the roadsides?

Answer 6

The guy who repairs the telephone lines by the side of the road.

Answer 7

He is a cable maintenance and repair person.
He shins up poles and works at high level.

Answer 8

Someone who works on the railroad?