We're bobbing on the surface and the shadow glides below
They say she feels my heartbeat, oh but how I'll never know
That it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
Oh..'Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
I'm building you a pyramid with limestone blocks so large
I drag them from the mountain top; you'll need a two car garage
And it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Cause it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
The wedge is a geologic formation in central Utah that I'm pretty certain inspired this song. I 70 cuts right through it. Highway to the great divide. It's proximity to the great salt lake would explain the references to water and salt water tears.
@erin101539 The continental divide is also crossed by I-70. The Wedge is also a border line error in the original lay-out of the Mason Dixon line, where the curve of the top of Delaware incompletely intersects with the 90 degree angle the Mason-Dixon line makes at Newark, Delaware.
@erin101539 The continental divide is also crossed by I-70. The Wedge is also a border line error in the original lay-out of the Mason Dixon line, where the curve of the top of Delaware incompletely intersects with the 90 degree angle the Mason-Dixon line makes at Newark, Delaware.
This wedge of land is in Newark, DE where I happened to see my first Phish show in 1993. So there's that, too.... woah dude. :)
This wedge of land is in Newark, DE where I happened to see my first Phish show in 1993. So there's that, too.... woah dude. :)
anybody got a clue on this one?
“Were bobbing on the surface” referring to how humans are like bobby lures “bobbing on the surface” and that life should be thought of deeper and more intrinsically. “How she feels my heart beat but, Oh But How I’ll never know” supports this thought as How Trey will never know how his heart beats (or another words his intrinsic qualities). “It’s the ocean flowing in our veins” is a metaphor how the ocean is like the largely extrinsic society we have been influenced to become.
“Were bobbing on the surface” referring to how humans are like bobby lures “bobbing on the surface” and that life should be thought of deeper and more intrinsically. “How she feels my heart beat but, Oh But How I’ll never know” supports this thought as How Trey will never know how his heart beats (or another words his intrinsic qualities). “It’s the ocean flowing in our veins” is a metaphor how the ocean is like the largely extrinsic society we have been influenced to become.
"We're bobbing on the surface" seems to signify that they're on some sort of water vessel, like a boat. When he says, "the shadow glides below" it reminds me of whale watching as the whale's shadow "glides" below the boat. Then Trey says, "they say she hears my heartbeat". I think of this another whale reference as whales can hear ultrasound.
Then, on to the chorus, it's more maritime references - "it's the ocean flowing in our veins" and "it's the salt that's in our tears". Seems to relate our connection with either these sea mammals or just with god's ocean in general. To me, when he says, "we could've come so very far", it's a feeling I get watching whales. It's like, look at how amazing, intelligent and peaceful the whales are, why couldn't we have developed more like that "in at least as many years".
"Take the highway through the great divide" I assume is in reference to great continental divide of North America which is a hydrological divide separating the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean (west) and the Atlantic Ocean (east). So, it appears another maritime or natural wonder reference. I tend to think of being on a highway going right through the great divide and how small I would feel.
Then, "I'm building you a pyramid, with limestone blocks so large". It's obviously a reference to the Great Pyramids of Giza which were built of huge limestone blocks. And it conveys the mystery of how were those blocks "dragged from the mountaintop"? We still can't explain exactly how they would have accomplished that so it's another reference to a great wonder and mystery of the world. When he says, "you'll need a 2 car garage", I'm assuming he means that's how large of a structure it would take to house such limestone blocks.
All in all, I think this song is about appreciating the beauty, wonder and mystery of life on earth, being humbled by it all, and realizing our inherent connection to it.
Why they call it 'The Wedge' I haven't the slightest.
@djaldd420 the wedge is the society that drives a separation of humanity from nature
@djaldd420 the wedge is the society that drives a separation of humanity from nature
@djaldd420 @djaldd420 I’m wondering if this person who first commented is “bobbing on the surface” of the meaning of this song ... is actually being sarcastic or if they are young (naive) about the symbolism. If so, they were hilarious.
@djaldd420 @djaldd420 I’m wondering if this person who first commented is “bobbing on the surface” of the meaning of this song ... is actually being sarcastic or if they are young (naive) about the symbolism. If so, they were hilarious.
the song is about deep ecology
it is the idea the earth is alive
the great divide refers to man's break with nature or the separation of man from nature
bobbing on the surface is that we only get the superficial understanding of the deep relationship with nature
-manny
I get the feeling that there are multiple meanings of this song. Many references to larger deeper things hiding under the surface. Yes humanity VS. nature. But also this can signify a failing relationship. Got to house all Th
@Stargazegrrrl too many pop up ads ... it kicked me out. So I’ll hurry.. the song also has symbolism of needing to hous all your baggage and keep it hidden
@Stargazegrrrl too many pop up ads ... it kicked me out. So I’ll hurry.. the song also has symbolism of needing to hous all your baggage and keep it hidden
“Were bobbing on the surface” referring to how humans are like bobby lures “bobbing on the surface” and that life should be thought of deeper and more intrinsically. “How she feels my heart beat but, Oh But How I’ll never know” supports this thought as How Trey will never know how his heart beats (or another words his intrinsic qualities). “It’s the ocean flowing in our veins” is a metaphor how the ocean is like the largely extrinsic society we have been influenced to become.