I stepped out onto the midway
I was looking for the pirate ship
And saw this small, old white tent at one end
It was blue
And had white lights hanging all around it
I decided to check out the tent
It seemed like I could hear music coming from inside
As I walked toward it, I passed a crowd of people at the sideshow
I couldn't figure out why they would want to wait in line

I pulled back the drape thing on the tent
There was a crystal ball on the table
And behind it, a girl wearing a hat
She smiled, and asked me if I wanted my fortune read
I said okay
And sat down
Then I thought about it for a minute
And asked her if she would rather go on the roller coaster instead

Creeping up into the sky
Stopping at the top and
Starting down
The girl grabbed my hand
I clutched it tight
I said goodbye to the ground

Far below, a soiled man
A bucket of torn tickets at his side
He watches the children run by
And picks his teeth

Spinning round, my head begins to turn
I shouted, and searched
The sky for a friend
I heard the fortune teller
Screaming back at me
We stuck out our hands and met the winds

The girl falters as she steps down from the platform
She clutches her stomach, and begins to heave
The ticket-taker smiles, and the last car is ready
Who told you that you could leave?

The sun was setting by the time we left
We walked across the deserted lot, alone
We were tired, but we managed to smile
At the gate I said goodnight to the fortune teller
The carnival sign threw colored shadows on her face
But I could tell she was blushing


Lyrics submitted by a thousand leaks

Breadcrumb Trail Lyrics as written by Brian Scott Mcmahan Christopher Todd Brashear

Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.

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Breadcrumb Trail song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +7
    General Comment

    I just like it for what it is and I don't want to think about any hidden meaning or metaphors. It is just a beautiful story.

    CommunismOnToaston May 21, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It's a dream. Ain't nobody else ever had a dream like this?

    wonderboothon October 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    what's with the wierdo pirate lyrics on this album??

    Cherub Rockon April 02, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Amazing, amazing song.

    aren't you angelon October 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    spiderland was an album i had been meaning to get for quite some time. luckily, on my last visit to check out new cds, i came across this fanstastic band and am now basking in all of their wonderfulness.

    d_lacyon March 17, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    great lyrics.

    NightLighton May 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it wouldn't surprise me if Spiderland is a metaphor for an amusement park

    a the wonderon January 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The guitar kicks ass on this whole (short) album.

    The Talk/Sing thing is weird, but likeable.

    D4MVPon August 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Anything by Slint is amazing. The lyrics are a mystery to me though.

    Jamesyon January 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    'Brief Encounter' on a rollercoaster.

    Brilliant!

    bikbokon March 06, 2007   Link

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