Wanderlust Personified. October 5, 2009
Posted by admin in : Songs , trackbackA little something about me – I love to travel. Not just the end destination, but the actual act of journeying. 8 hours on an overnight train in Russia; a 27 hour (and 7 train) trek from the Czech Republic to Spain – give me a train, a plane and/or an automobile, and I’m content. While the wanderlust has reduced in the couple of years, I am lucky enough to have a girlfriend willing to put with me wandering off to places like Russia and South America every so often.
And so, to all my fellow travelers, let our anthem’s author be Frank Turner.
Our Frank is
an English folk singer-songwriter, and former vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead.
Folk and post-hardcore. As you do. I wonder what post-folk would sound like?
Anyhow, I came across “The Road” (from the album “Poetry of the Deed”) on some obscure music channel while flicking around one evening (okay, fine, it was probably in the wee hours…), and was suitably enraptured at the insistent time signature, the foot-tapping guitar line, and the imagination-capturing lyrics. Sounding like an acoustic version of the Levellers, listen out for Frank’s slipping into a distinctly hardcore approach between 2:21 and 2:59…and the next time you decide to go traveling, why not play “The Road” as loud as possible, despite the stares?
To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven’t got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running outEver since my childhood I’ve been scared I’ve been afraid
Of being trapped by circumstance and staying in one place
So I always keep a small bag full of clothes carefully stored
Somewhere secret somewhere safe
And somewhere close to the doorWell I’ve traveled many countries I’ve washed my feet in many seas
I’ve drunk with drifters in Vienna and with punks in old DC
And I’ve driven across deserts driven by the irony
That only being shackled to the the road could ever I be freeTo the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven’t got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running outI’ve felt old before my time but now I keep the age away
By burning up the miles and yeah by filling up my days
And the nights a thousand nights I’ve played
And a thousand more to go
Before I take a breath and steal myself
For the next one thousand showsTo the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven’t got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running outYes so saddle up your horses now and keep your powder dry
Cause the truth is you won’t be here long
Yeah soon your going to die
To the heart, to the heart there’s no time for you to waste
You wont find your precious answers now by staying in one place
Yeah by giving up the chaseTo the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven’t got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out
To the south to the south
My time is running out
To the south to the south
My time is running outI face the horizon everywhere I go
I face the horizon the horizon is my home
I face the horizon everywhere I go
I face the horizon the horizon is my home
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Frank Turner – The Roadwww: Frank’s official site and MySpace
Comments»
i like it!! esp after greece, switzerland, england, germany and now the US all in less than a month, i needed something to remind me why i continue to endure it all
thanks!
Tough traveling is not quite my favorite activity, I’ve never experienced traveling throughout Europe haha. Guess that must be better and more inspiring than Brazil. As for the song, must be one of the bests you’ve ever published here!