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 [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/james_taylor/wichita_lineman.html ]
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
I always thought that he was a lineman for the county where he and his wife lived, and in checking the wires he'd inadvertently overheard his wife on the phone with a man from wichita, i.e. She was cheating on him. Now he often checks to see if she's on the line with him, and the wichita lineman is still on the line. His long hours meant he didn't spend enough time with her, leading to her looking for attention elsewhere.