In the darkest hour of the longest night
If it was in my power I'd step into the light
Candles on the altar, penny in your shoe
Walk upon the water - transcendental blues.

Happy ever after 'til the day you die
Careful what you ask for, you don't know 'til you try
Hands are in your pockets, starin' at your shoes
Wishin' you could stop it - transcendental blues.

If I had it my way, everything would change
Out here on this highway the rules are still the same
Back roads never carry you where you want 'em to
They leave you standin' there with them ol'
Transcendental Blues.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Lyrics submitted by Playa

Transcendental Blues Lyrics as written by Stephen F. Earle

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid

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Transcendental Blues song meanings
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    General Comment

    Steve's not really a writer that needs a "song meanings" website. The amazing thing about his songs are how simple and literal they are, but yet they still stand up because the words themselves are so engaging.

    That being said, this is one of his more opaque tunes, perhaps his most opaque. I wish there was more discussion cause I really don't know what he's saying. But I know Steve well enough to know that he IS trying to say SOMETHING.

    The only thing I've been able to gather is it's a little about him evaluating his life, sort of an existential crisis. And in the third verse he comes right back where he always was, on the "Nowhere Road", realizing that his choice of profession inherently carries with it certain hazards that never go away. Oh well.

    jtharrison December 09, 2009   Link

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