Ever heard of a band called “Broken Bells” by chance? I was listening to a really snappy tune from them the other day and was digging on some dark but interesting lyrics. If you’re not into that, or don’t find value in the lyrics contained in music, you can stop reading. I don’t mind. I won’t know anyway. So grab some lawn darts from ebay and practice nailing your brother in the calf on the fly while the grown ups handle this one.
Side note. I loved those lawn darts and I’m buying them up on ebay as you read this. Now back to my extrapolation on the song “The High Road” from Broken Bells and what it may mean to you and I…
First the lyrics:
We’re bound to wait all night.
She’s bound to run amok.
Invested enough in it anyhow,
To each his own…
The Garden needs sorting out.
She curls her lips on the bow,
And I don’t know if I’m dead or not,
To anyone…
Come on and get the minimum,
Before you open up your eyes.
This army has so many heads,
To analyze…
Come on and get your overdose.
Collect it at the borderline,
And they want to get up in your head…
Cause they know and so do I.
The high road is hard to find.
A detour to your new life.
Tell all of your friends goodbye.
The dawn to end all nights,
That’s all we hoped it was.
A break from the warfare in your house,
To each his own…
A soldier is bailing out.
He curled his lips on the barrel.
And I don’t know if the dead can talk,
To anyone…
Come on and get the minimum.
Before you open up your eyes.
This army has so many hands,
Are you one of us?
Come on and get your overdose.
Collect it at the borderline,
And they want to get up in your head…
Cause they know and so do I.
The high road is hard to find.
A detour to your new life.
Tell all of your friends goodbye.
It’s too late to change your mind,
You let loss be your guide. (X4)
Here’s the video, which is pretty important:
The music is fun with a wide range of sounds, really. So that hooked me from the start. As if it were random with pattern if that makes sense. I’m certain that is no mistake. Isn’t life like that? Remember that ending scene in Forrest Gump? “I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floatin’ around accidental-like on a breeze. But I, I think maybe it’s both.” – Forrest Gump
Also, consider the video itself. These guys are walking through, or wandering rather, their lives and others in the dark with flashlights. One sees himself in an accident as he’s passing by. They see others in pain, existing, performing, and have validation and even remorse over the same things. They turn their lights off in the end of the video and experience the dawn, do they not?
So down to the lyrics and what ties this together… I hold the opinion this song is about the spiritual path we take in life. Sure, there’s the Alpha and Omega for us all – beginning or in this case birth, and the end or death for our bodies. However, the beautiful thing about Christ is that he sacrificed himself so our existence doesn’t end as our hearts stop.
When we talk about the “high road” what is it we’re suggesting? We’re really just saying there are multiple paths and we prefer to take that which glorifies Him. How often do we manage to do this? Far fewer times that we’d like most likely. But the important part often isn’t doing it or not doing it if you can believe that. I know in my heart of hearts you have to recognize the difference first. If you can’t discern between the two you’re just existing and little else.
As things like the “garden” are mentioned in the song, that’s a reference to Eden of course. While I didn’t notice it when I studied the song another person pointed out to me that the line “they know and so do I” refers to an absolute. In this case that of God which is irrefutable. “The dawn to end all nights” and “A break from the warfare in your house” are synonymous with the light of heaven and being saved as your soul ascends up and away from the pain and turmoil the Earthly body experiences.
“Cause they know and so do I. The high road is hard to find.” …And here’s the scripture for it:
John 4:16 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
“A detour to your new life. Tell all your friends goodbye.” …And here’s your scripture for it:
Luke 23:43 – And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.
“It’s too late to change your mind, You let loss be your guide.” Notice the entire song changes at this point and takes on a new feel with uplifted tones. The lyrics repeat… Essentially, you’ve past on, but you’re headed upward, so as you ‘shed your skin’ your spirit rises…
Heavy, huh? …Or maybe it’s a song about a bunch of dopers smoking pot. Hard to say. OK, I just wanted to see if you’re still paying attention. There’s plenty more included in the lyrics of the song that I didn’t cover. You should examine it yourself and see what you come up with. While I haven’t spent a bunch of time listening to Broken Bells, I can tell you this really is a masterful song. Most folks zip right past things like this and give no consideration to them. Sometimes when we’re not paying attention, we simply hear what we want. But like the Bible, there’s so much more.
Be salt and light my friends…
