Climb out your windows children coach is set to go
For the open day at Roswell and the field trip to Guantanamo
Take it from the cobra who spits upon the grave
Of the man who played the blues upon its rightful charmer's stage
With every shruti so refined there's a raga of your own
And if there's love where i'm going then i'll be going home

All you disciples that just don't know where to look
If you're called upon by mellotrons then lay your hand down on my book
Maybe we're useless in the things that we create

And so say we'll surrender to salvation in some higher state
Maybe i'll sing peace salaam, shanti, shalom
If there's love where i'm going then i'll be going home

So climb down your drainpipes children on your merry way
To the conference entitled 'The West Has Had Its Day'
Take it from the singing larks and the nightingales of May
Who survey their own horizons and the harvest is their cabaret
Swooping onto pastures new when every seed is sewn singing
If there's love where i'm going then i'll be going home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eugene Twist’s “If There’s Love Where I’m Going” are rich in imagery and metaphor, making it a challenging but fascinating song to explore. The first verse begins with the image of climbing out of a window onto a waiting coach headed to Roswell, New Mexico, and Guantanamo Bay. The next line is a little more opaque, with the phrase “Take it from the cobra who spits upon the grave,” which could be interpreted in a number of ways, but seems to suggest a sense of rebellion or defiance.

The next line is where things get really interesting, as Eugene Twist sings “Of the man who played the blues upon its rightful charmer's stage.” This could be a direct reference to the idea of cultural appropriation, or the idea that certain musical genres or styles belong to a specific culture, and should only be played by those within that culture. The next line, “With every shruti so refined there's a raga of your own,” suggests the opposite approach, that anyone can find their own unique sound or style within any musical tradition.

The chorus ties these themes together, with Eugene Twist singing “And if there's love where I'm going then I'll be going home.” This seems to suggest that in the search for creative expression, one must ultimately find a sense of belonging and acceptance.

The second verse opens with the line “All you disciples that just don't know where to look,” which could be interpreted as a call to aspiring artists who are struggling to find their own voice. The next line, “If you're called upon by mellotrons then lay your hand down on my book,” suggests that Eugene Twist is offering his own work as a source of inspiration.

The following lines are more introspective, with Eugene Twist questioning the value of his own creative output: “Maybe we're useless in the things that we create / And so say we'll surrender to salvation in some higher state.” These lines suggest a sense of doubt or insecurity, but the chorus provides a reassuring counterpoint.

The final verse returns to the idea of seeking one’s own path, depicted through the image of “climbing down your drainpipes.” The conference entitled “The West Has Had Its Day” could be interpreted as a commentary on the decline of Western culture or the need for a new perspective. The final lines are perhaps the most uplifting, suggesting that creative expression is not limited by location or tradition: “Swooping onto pastures new when every seed is sewn singing / If there's love where I'm going then I'll be going home.”

Line by Line Meaning

Climb out your windows children coach is set to go
Get ready to leave and join the journey, because the coach is waiting for you outside your window.

For the open day at Roswell and the field trip to Guantanamo
We're going to Roswell for an open day event and then to Guantanamo for a field trip.

Take it from the cobra who spits upon the grave
Listen to what the cobra has to say, as it disrespects the dead person's burial site.

Of the man who played the blues upon its rightful charmer's stage
The man who played blues music on the stage that belongs to his charismatic style.

With every shruti so refined there's a raga of your own
There is a unique melody in each refined tone, waiting for your own tune to add to it.

And if there's love where i'm going then i'll be going home
If love exists where I am headed, then that will be my home and my final destination.

All you disciples that just don't know where to look
All those who are followers but don't know what to seek or where to look for.

If you're called upon by mellotrons then lay your hand down on my book
If you hear the mellotron's call, then seek guidance from my book and lay your hand on it for answers.

Maybe we're useless in the things that we create
Perhaps we're not effective in what we create or leave behind as our creations.

And so say we'll surrender to salvation in some higher state
Therefore, we say we'll submit to being saved by a higher power or being in a higher state of existence.

Maybe i'll sing peace salaam, shanti, shalom
Perhaps I'll sing for peace, using words like 'salaam', 'shanti', or 'shalom'.

If there's love where i'm going then i'll be going home
If love is present where I go, then that will be my place of belonging and home.

So climb down your drainpipes children on your merry way
Children, hop out from your drainpipes and continue on with your happy journey.

To the conference entitled 'The West Has Had Its Day'
We're headed to a conference called 'The West Has Had Its Day'.

Take it from the singing larks and the nightingales of May
Listen to what the singing larks and nightingales of May have to say or share.

Who survey their own horizons and the harvest is their cabaret
They observe the wide horizons and take delight in the harvest as their party or celebration.

Swooping onto pastures new when every seed is sewn singing
Flying into new lands when all seeds are planted, while singing a tune.

If there's love where i'm going then i'll be going home
If love exists where I'm headed, then that place will be my home and where I belong.

Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.