I grew up in the WLA area in the early 50s. At that time there was a spiritual type person who used to walk Sunset Blvd, from the beach to town and back every day, in flowing white robes. I think he resided at the Paramahansa Yogananda temple (Self Realization Fellowship, I think) near the ocean off Sunset. I was told that this song referred to this guy. Never talked to him myself, but passed him on the road many times, and have always admired the spiece as a sort of art song....like Lagan Love.