This sounds like a road weary band/musician's plight. The road and all it's "rewards" seem to mesmerize the performers, but after awhile, the grass isn't so green, and it would be nice just to be still. In the second verse, he speaks of sheep (followers/fans) who come to hear the "Messiah" (musician) play, and they cry out for more, and he "keeps answering that bell", until it's over, and he, the Starry Eyed Messiah, meets a violent (crowds still wanting more as he leaves the stage.
In the third part of the song, he talks about his garden, which to me is his home, and when he finally gets off the road, it's not as relaxing as he thought, because he doesn't recognize that "heaven is lying at" his feet (the crowds below him during performances).
Finally, the contradictions are the pull between his love for music and the road and his need to be still. His world is torn and shaken no matter where he is, and his heart breaks for both venues. He realizes that, no matter whether he's playing or home, he'll never learn to be still.
That's my take. Only because I've heard his interviews, and he speaks of this dilemma of road vs. home.
This sounds like a road weary band/musician's plight. The road and all it's "rewards" seem to mesmerize the performers, but after awhile, the grass isn't so green, and it would be nice just to be still. In the second verse, he speaks of sheep (followers/fans) who come to hear the "Messiah" (musician) play, and they cry out for more, and he "keeps answering that bell", until it's over, and he, the Starry Eyed Messiah, meets a violent (crowds still wanting more as he leaves the stage.
In the third part of the song, he talks about his garden, which to me is his home, and when he finally gets off the road, it's not as relaxing as he thought, because he doesn't recognize that "heaven is lying at" his feet (the crowds below him during performances).
Finally, the contradictions are the pull between his love for music and the road and his need to be still. His world is torn and shaken no matter where he is, and his heart breaks for both venues. He realizes that, no matter whether he's playing or home, he'll never learn to be still.
That's my take. Only because I've heard his interviews, and he speaks of this dilemma of road vs. home.