| Band of Horses – The Great Salt Lake Lyrics | 15 years ago |
|
I find musicalguy86's interpretation to be one of the most fascinating. Both because I find it fits perfectly, and also because it defers remarkably from mine. In the end though, the metaphors all surround the same theme, and that is of finding your own space, your own land, your own comfort, your own time, your own home. I suppose part of it has to do with our difference in hearing the lyrics, but I like to think it has to more to do with the beauty of music and rhythmic poetry; allowing each individual to paint their own picture or interpret a song in their own way. It reminds me of a Robert Hunter quote in response to the interpretation of Box of Rain where he said "what I had in mind when I wrote a song, mostly you'd need to have my mind to understand even approximately what I had in it." Surely, what is in my mind is rooted in my own life experiences in searching for a better life as I moved across the US. Finally finding a lifestyle that fit me out west. For what it is worth, this is my hearing of the lyrics and what it means to me. Back of the boat was painted "Wrecking Ball" There was country music playing, but he dont like it at all And red fire poppin' on the rained on wood His whiskey bottle spillin' in a lake that's made of salt This verse reminds me of growing up in the south, surrounded by red-necks (Birdwell himself grew up in South Carolina). Feeling surrounded by ignorance and knowing that there is more out there. More to be seen, more to be lived. The boat being named "Wrecking Ball" is a double metaphor to me, both of the destruction of the south after the Civil War and the redneck, gun-shootin', four-wheelin', no need to to conserve our land destructive attitude. Like the pioneers of the west, he heads out to find a new life. A new home. I imagine a rugged journey similar to the western settlers. A camp fire the only comfort, he decides to pour out the whiskey bottle and leave the last of the old south behind him. And look out Michael, there's a note on the door Saying, "Everybody listen, you'll be the next Omaha" Now, if you find yourself falling apart Then I'm sure... I could stand... on... the Great Salt Lake Falling apart... Then I'm sure... I could stand... on... the Great Salt Lake This verse reminds me of the homesteaders of the Great Plain States. Many of the homesteaders were themselves freed slaves that were also dissatisfied with the south. The line "you'll be the next Omaha" refers to the original thought that Nebraska was part of the Great American Desert, but it was actually very fruitful farming ground. Thought to be a difficult land to settle, the original settler actually made a successful home for themselves. But this land is settled now, so he must move on farther west. To the Great Salt Lake. The use of "great" describing the lake ties the metaphor together: The Great Desert, The Great Plains, The Great Salt Lake. He is confident that he can stand alone on this new ground and make the home that he wants there despite what people may think of this barren land. Your old man was but a wishing machine It's time that you could spare; now he's getting old When Billy Lorett had found a watering hole It's a place to lay yourself or the heads of coyotes Now, if you find yourself falling apart Then I'm sure... I could stand... on... the Great Salt Lake In this verse, he recalls his father. His father was dreamer with grand ideas, but all that free time was only spent dreaming and getting old. He has actually done what his father only wished for; he has traveled west to find a new life and a new home. I believe Billy Lorett to be somewhat of a pseudonym or just a generic southern name. Despite the largest body of water being full of salt, Billy does find fresh water. It is by this fruitful land that he can either be successful and make his new home or be devoured by the wild new land. The coyote, who has been able to adapt to the prairie land and also thrive farther west, symbolizing nature and the west. It will either be his home or he will be taken over by nature. So if your life is crumbling around you, there is hope. Don't just dream. You can make a new life and a new home for yourself out west. We're following home We want more Following home We all want one If ever beat down, we know who we are They know, we all want one If ever beat down, they know who we are They know, we all want one We always want a new home. A new life. A better life. We want more. No matter how beat down, everyone knows that they want that new life, that new home. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.