Travel light
The bags of life need handles tight gripped
Cause man knows it’s vital
Bright candle light in manholes
Like you got closed mind
Yes you are confined
Freedom’s natural as time moving, riot shooting
Now its kaffirs and boers aside
Doing Pantsula Jive
That’s two thousand five
Sing hallelujah survive
Better to just shoot up and die
See that the truest of signs
Lead back to you as divine
You decide, who defines
Human pursuit through what eyes

When nothings perfect rise
Above the surface trials
Are there for purpose, signs

What you interpret defines
What you on earth for rely
On human effort and signs

When it all goes downhill
And you sitting inside with a flat wheel
Turn the window up better be alert
Get a gear-lock and a tow truck with a bit of luck
I told you
It’s a game of casino poker
When the lottery roll over
Close but no Philly blunt, no videos
No silly hoes, no millions
But so what
You are bigger than a photo-op
With a foremost pop star
Know your chakra
How to grow to adult
From a stone that was sown
In the soil to a thrown like Shaka
I got soul but I am no Sinatra
Rhythm hit me hard like Malombo drums
Keep faith in God if you go through drama
Lift fist up if you know the signs

When nothings perfect rise
Above the surface trials
Are there for purpose, signs
What you interpret defines
What you on earth for rely
On human effort and signs

When nothings perfect rise
Above the surface trials
Are there for purpose, signs

What you interpret defines
What you on earth for rely
On human effort and signs

In a world with a dark and a bleak past
Who can up and tangle with these stats
Few if not trample each lap
Like an animal jungle free perhaps
It’s the way of the dreamer path, or
It’s the latest VISA passport
Break down when you need to fast forward
Stay south when the beast is up north
Kick rhymes and they say that I am a poet
Its life and its played just like a sport
But it’s not the sought
With Nikes on walk soft them souls just might be wore out
Torn and that resolves nothing
Sure as mountains raw shouting
Molten rock on floors
My eyes saw the signs are raw
That resolves nothing
Sure as mountains raw shouting
Molten rock on floors
My eyes saw the signs are raw

When nothings perfect rise
Above the surface trials
Are there for purpose, signs

What you interpret defines
What you on earth for rely
On human effort and signs

When nothings perfect rise
Above the surface trials
Are there for purpose, signs

What you interpret defines
What you on earth for rely
On human effort and signs

Overall Meaning

The song "Signs" by Tumi and the Volume is a thoughtful and introspective exploration of the nature of human existence and the meaning we derive from life's struggles and hardships. The lyrics open with the instruction to "travel light," a metaphor for the idea that we should not attach ourselves too strongly to the material things in life. The bags of life need to be gripped tightly, a reminder that we must hold onto our goals and aspirations with determination and focus.

The following lines address the idea that confinement and closed-mindedness can keep us from experiencing true freedom. The reference to "kaffirs and boers" and "Pantsula Jive" situates the song's message within a South African context, emphasizing the importance of cultural and social context in shaping our ideas and perceptions. The song urges us to "rise above the surface trials," to look beyond the immediate struggles in our lives and seek a deeper meaning and purpose.

The chorus reinforces this theme, reminding us to rely on our human effort and the signs that guide us in our pursuit of a fulfilling and meaningful existence. The song's closing lines offer a final insight into the nature of life, emphasizing the importance of seeing and interpreting the signs around us and acknowledging the raw beauty and power of the world we inhabit.

Line by Line Meaning

Travel light
Carry as little baggage in life as you can

The bags of life need handles tight gripped
Be responsible with your choices and hold on tightly to your decisions

Cause man knows it’s vital
Life is important and valuable

Bright candle light in manholes
Finding light in even the darkest of places

Like you got closed mind
Being narrow-minded and not open to new ideas

Yes you are confined
Being limited by your own closed-mindedness

Freedom’s natural as time moving, riot shooting
Freedom is natural and worth fighting for when it's taken away

Now its kaffirs and boers aside
Racial tensions and conflict dividing South African society

Doing Pantsula Jive
A dance popular in the townships of South Africa during the 1980s

That’s two thousand five
The year the song was released

Sing hallelujah survive
Celebrating life and its struggles

Better to just shoot up and die
Being caught in a hopeless situation

See that the truest of signs
Recognizing that there are signs pointing you in the right direction

Lead back to you as divine
Trusting yourself to find your own path

You decide, who defines
Your life is ultimately defined by you, not others

Human pursuit through what eyes
Different people pursue life through different perspectives and beliefs

When nothings perfect rise
Finding strength to persevere through adversity

Above the surface trials
Looking past surface-level problems and seeing deeper meaning

Are there for purpose, signs
Difficulties can have a purpose and show signs leading to personal growth

What you interpret defines
The way you interpret events in your life shapes your response to it

What you on earth for rely
You must rely on what you were put on earth to do to guide your actions

On human effort and signs
Using personal effort and following signs can lead to success and fulfillment

And you sitting inside with a flat wheel
Being stuck in a bad situation

Turn the window up better be alert
Being cautious and aware of your surroundings

Get a gear-lock and a tow truck with a bit of luck
Being resourceful in tough situations

I told you
A reminder of previous advice given

It’s a game of casino poker
Life is unpredictable and involves chance

When the lottery roll over
The possibility of instant wealth is tempting

Close but no Philly blunt, no videos
Being close to success but not quite making it

No silly hoes, no millions
Fame and fortune aren't everything

But so what
Realizing material possessions are not the key to happiness

You are bigger than a photo-op
Your worth is not measured by how many public appearances you make

With a foremost pop star
Being seen with a popular celebrity

Know your chakra
Understanding your own individual balance and energy

How to grow to adult
Learning the skills and lessons needed to become an adult

From a stone that was sown
Becoming someone successful from humble beginnings

In the soil to a thrown like Shaka
Rising to a position of greatness like the Zulu King Shaka

I got soul but I am no Sinatra
Being authentic and true to oneself

Rhythm hit me hard like Malombo drums
Feeling the beat of life and embracing it

Keep faith in God if you go through drama
Having faith in a higher power can help you through tough times

Lift fist up if you know the signs
Recognizing the signs that point to your life's purpose and taking action

In a world with a dark and a bleak past
The world has a history of pain and hardship

Who can up and tangle with these stats
Who can overcome the negative statistics of the past

Few if not trample each lap
Many give up before they can even start, but a few push through

Like an animal jungle free perhaps
Finding freedom and growth like an animal in the jungle

It’s the way of the dreamer path, or
Dreaming big is important to achieving success

It’s the latest VISA passport
Traveling and experiencing new cultures as a means of growth

Break down when you need to fast forward
Taking time to slow down in order to gain a better perspective

Stay south when the beast is up north
Knowing when to avoid conflict and danger

Kick rhymes and they say that I am a poet
Being recognized for your own unique talent

Its life and its played just like a sport
Approaching life like a game with goals and obstacles

But it’s not the sought
Winning isn't everything in life

With Nikes on walk soft them souls just might be wore out
Avoiding judgment and being kind to others

Torn and that resolves nothing
Being confused and indecisive gets you nowhere

Sure as mountains raw shouting
Steadfastness and strength in face of adversity

Molten rock on floors
Chaos and turmoil in life

My eyes saw the signs are raw
Recognizing the negative and difficult signs in life

Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Calvin Cordazor Broadus, Chad Hugo, Lonnie Simmons, Rudolph Taylor, Pharrell Williams, Charles Wilson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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