Sometimes they'll tell you to just sit still
When you know that it's time to run
Sometimes they'll tell you it's all over
When you're sure that it's just begun


[ Chorus ]
The iron wheel slowly spins around
It takes you from the cradle till you're 6 feet underground
You push and pull against it
But you ride it till it's through
And those who spin the wheel
Will those fuckers ride it too?


Sometimes they'll tell you to move along
When you're sure you should stand and fight
Sometimes they'll tell you that you're a lucky a man
But the numbers they don't add up right

[ Chorus ]

The good wife rides the wheel
As they use you slip away
T.V. preacher rides the wheel
As he leads the flock astray
Lady justice rides the wheel
But her balance is unsure
Cause the truth that lies in pieces
Scattered on the news room floor

Sometimes they'll tell you to just let go
When you're sure you should hold on tight
Sometimes they'll tell you your time will never come
When you're sure that your time's come tonight

[ Chorus ]



Lyrics submitted by rL-

The Iron Wheel (ft. Shooter Jennings) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

4 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    I can't believe no one else has commented on this song! This was my original favorite Nightwatchman song. I interpret it as being about the elite in the world, who hold political, economic, militaristic, and press powers in this country. These people who tell us how to live and behave every day. And, as always with Tom, to fight the power.

    kingemoneyon April 29, 2010   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.