"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
ERSE 1 (Joseph):
I am a man of hopes and dreams
in this world where nothing's as it seems
I know I've found my silent guide
when you are by my side
VERSE 2 (The Priest):
They say, to learn The Way
One must know pain
What you give, you will receive
Oh, I will help you believe
VERSE 3 (The Priest):
Look to me in the eye
and see the faith divine
Hear my holy words
of his grand design
I am his humble servant
preaching his will
To serve the greater good
I'd be ready to kill
CHORUS 1 (The Priest):
Welcome to the paradise of blind
so far from life, this lost mankind
SOLO 1
VERSE 4 (Joseph):
The sacred blessing upon me
I divided the endless sea
Pagans would soon agree
that faith is the only key (to life)
But that was then, so long ago
After years, I've settled home
Found my Eve, the American Dream
came finally true for me
VERSE 5 (Joseph):
"My love, don't be afraid
the child's blessed, for that I've prayed
He's to be born as a miracle
a gift from god for our endless crusade"
CHORUS 2 (Joseph):
Welcome to my paradise of dreams
where everything is just like as it seems
SOLO 2
VERSE 6 (Joseph):
Home bound again, all I want is to see her smile
that's what makes everything worthwhile
The shadows play with the setting sun
like the angel with her newborn son
I am a man of hopes and dreams
in this world where nothing's as it seems
I know I've found my silent guide
when you are by my side
VERSE 2 (The Priest):
They say, to learn The Way
One must know pain
What you give, you will receive
Oh, I will help you believe
VERSE 3 (The Priest):
Look to me in the eye
and see the faith divine
Hear my holy words
of his grand design
I am his humble servant
preaching his will
To serve the greater good
I'd be ready to kill
CHORUS 1 (The Priest):
Welcome to the paradise of blind
so far from life, this lost mankind
SOLO 1
VERSE 4 (Joseph):
The sacred blessing upon me
I divided the endless sea
Pagans would soon agree
that faith is the only key (to life)
But that was then, so long ago
After years, I've settled home
Found my Eve, the American Dream
came finally true for me
VERSE 5 (Joseph):
"My love, don't be afraid
the child's blessed, for that I've prayed
He's to be born as a miracle
a gift from god for our endless crusade"
CHORUS 2 (Joseph):
Welcome to my paradise of dreams
where everything is just like as it seems
SOLO 2
VERSE 6 (Joseph):
Home bound again, all I want is to see her smile
that's what makes everything worthwhile
The shadows play with the setting sun
like the angel with her newborn son
Lyrics submitted by sokorny
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Fast Car
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