I can remember running down the street lamp lit hill on Pine street in Seattle after I wrote the song, exhilarated with how it turned out.
The Unwinding Cable Car
Anberlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're like an unwinding cable car
Listening for voices
But it's the choices that make us who we are
Go your own way, even seasons have changed
Just burn those new leaves over
So self-absorbed, you've seemed to ignore the prayers
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
Backing away from the problem of pain
You never had a home
You've been misguided, you're hiding in shadows
For so very long
Don't you believe that you've been deceived?
That you're no better
Than the hair in your eyes
It never disguised what you're really thinking of
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You're so brilliant, grace marks your heart
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You're so brilliant, grace marks your heart
This is the correlation between salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
I'll guard your heart
With quiet words I'll lead you in and out of the dark
(Don't drop your arms)
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
The opening lines of the song, “Your motive, unstable, you’re like an unwinding cable car”, set the tone for this introspective and hauntingly beautiful track by Anberlin. The unstable cable car represents the singer’s mind, which is being pulled in different directions and is gradually losing its grip on sanity. He listens for a sign or voice to guide him, but understands that ultimately, it is his own choices that will determine the path he will take.
The chorus expounds on the correlation between salvation and love, which the singer uses to justify his actions. The song then returns to the problem of pain, with the singer backing away from it by being self-absorbed and ignoring the prayers that have already been answered. He realizes that he has been misguided, hiding in shadows for far too long, and needs to discover his own purpose.
As the song progresses, he is encouraged to not give up, as he is “brilliant” and marked by grace, a common theme of Anberlin’s music. Finally, a message of hope is delivered as he is reassured that with quiet words, he will be led in and out of the dark.
Overall, this song is open to interpretation and can have many different meanings to different people. It touches on themes of mental health, self-discovery, and the power of choice. It encourages people to keep fighting, to not give up, and to believe in themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Your motive, unstable
Your intentions are unclear and lack direction
You're like an unwinding cable car
You are spiraling out of control and cannot seem to stop
Listening for voices
Searching for guidance and direction
But it's the choices that make us who we are
Our actions define who we are, not the voices we hear or the advice we receive
Go your own way, even seasons have changed
Take control of your life, even if it means going against the norm or changing what you are used to
Just burn those new leaves over
Forget your past mistakes and start anew
So self-absorbed, you've seemed to ignore the prayers
You have been too focused on yourself to realize that others have been praying for you
That have already come about
Their prayers have already been answered
This is the correlation of salvation and love
The connection between saving oneself and experiencing love
Don't drop your arms
Do not give up or let your guard down
I'll guard your heart
I will protect your emotional well-being
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
I will offer gentle guidance and support
Backing away from the problem of pain
Avoiding the difficult emotions and experiences in life
You never had a home
You have never fully belonged or felt comfortable in a certain place or group of people
You've been misguided, you're hiding in shadows
You have been led astray and are now afraid to step out of the shadows and face the truth
For so very long
This has been a long-standing issue
Don't you believe that you've been deceived?
Have you not realized that you have been lied to or manipulated?
That you're no better than the hair in your eyes
You are just as insignificant as a strand of hair obstructing your vision
It never disguised what you're really thinking of
You cannot hide your true thoughts or feelings, even if you try to disguise them
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You have great potential and intelligence, do not underestimate yourself
Grace marks your heart
You are filled with compassion and kindness
With quiet words I'll lead you in and out of the dark
I will guide you through the difficult times and provide comfort and reassurance
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Deon Rexroat, Joseph Milligan, Nathan Young, Stephen Arnold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yavuz Akay
Your motive, unstable
You're like an unwinding cable car
Listening for voices
But it's the choices that make us who we are
Go your own way, even seasons have changed
Just burn those new leaves over
So self-absorbed, you've seemed to ignore the prayers
That have already come about
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
Backing away from the problem of pain
You never had a home
You've been misguided, you're hiding in shadows
For so very long
Don't you believe that you've been deceived?
That you're no better
Than the hair in your eyes
It never disguised what you're really thinking of
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You're so brilliant, grace marked your heart
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You're so brilliant, grace marked your heart
This is the correlation between salvation and love
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
This is the correlation of salvation and love
Don't drop your arms
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words, I'll lead you in
Alex Harris
Your motive, unstable
You're like an unwinding cable car
Listening for voices, but it's the choices that make us who we are
Go your own way, even seasons have changed
Just burn those new leaves over
So self-absorbed, you have seemed to ignore
The prayers that have already come about
This is the correlation of salvation and love
(Don't drop your arms)
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words I'll lead you in
Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la
Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la
Backing away from the problem of pain you never had a home
You've been misguided, you're hiding in shadows for so very long
Don't you believe that you've been deceived
That you're no better than
The hair in your eyes, it never disguised
What you're really thinking of
This is the correlation of salvation and love
(Don't drop your arms)
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words I'll lead you in
This is the correlation of salvation and love
(Don't drop your arms)
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
With quiet words I'll lead you in
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You're so brilliant, grace marks your heart
You're so brilliant, don't soon forget
You're so brilliant, grace marks your heart
You're so brilliant (This is the correlation)
Don't soon forget (Between salvation and love, don't drop your arms)
You're so brilliant (I'll guard your heart)
Grace marks your heart (With quiet words I'll lead you in and out of the dark)
Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la
(Don't drop your arms)
Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la
This is the correlation of salvation and love
(Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la)
(Don't drop your arms)
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
(Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la)
With quiet words I'll lead you in
This is the correlation of salvation and love
(Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la)
(Don't drop your arms)
Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart
(Lalalala, la la la, la lala, la)
With quiet words I'll lead you in
https://www.facebook.com/lvngubrthlss
John Doe
Some songs are criminally underrated. This is one of those songs.
Obnxxious
Yeah mate. It goes alright!
Lisa Cousins
AGREE 💯 best deepest modern song ever 💯
Hoosier Mama
Amen
Aaron
"Criminally Underrated" - this was the top comment on the last Anberlin song I was listening to as well. Must be true
Rachie W
Definitely. These lyrics alone....
TheSpringMood
It's 2019 and I still love this song. So timeless, so classic. 11 years ago I first heard this song and it has stayed with me ever since. Wonderful!
skay
Replying in 2023☆
Cthulhu's Minion
It 2023 and I’m still jamming this whole album 🤘🏽
Clawblade 946
Replying in 2020