Wanderlust
Aubrey Haynie; David Rawlins; Gillian Welch; Mark Knopfler; Paul Franklin Lyrics

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Big black cloud
On a yellow plain
Sure enough it
Looks like rain
Packin' up all our
Faith and trust
Me and the wanderlust

Open window
Empty bed and chair
Who's that callin'
Ain't nobody there
I look behind me
And I see there's just
Me and the wanderlust

Dead of night
I had a dream
Sky was bright yes and the
Fields were green
I was down the road
In a cloud of dust
Me and the wanderlust

And I'm on the egde
Of an endless fall
Sure enough
He's come to call
Got to go now

Get on that bus
Me and the wanderlust

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wanderlust describe the experience of traveling and the longing for freedom that comes with it. The opening lines of the song set the scene with a big black cloud on a yellow plain, an image that evokes the feeling of being on the road and uncertain of what lies ahead. The singer is packing up their belongings, including their faith and trust, and hitting the road with their wanderlust.

Throughout the song, there are references to the loneliness and isolation that comes with traveling. In the second verse, the singer is alone in an empty room and hears a voice calling out to them, but when they turn around, there's no one there. This sense of solitude is also reflected in the final lines of the song, where the singer is "on the edge of an endless fall" and has to leave once again, this time getting on a bus with their wanderlust.

Overall, Wanderlust is a deeply introspective song about the joys and challenges of traveling, and the sense of restlessness and longing that comes with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Big black cloud
Referring to a stormy situation or troubles ahead

On a yellow plain
In an open and unobstructed area

Sure enough it
It is clear that

Looks like rain
The situation appears to be getting worse

Packin' up all our
We are getting ready to leave

Faith and trust
Our beliefs and hope for the future

Me and the wanderlust
Together with the desire to travel and explore

Open window
An opportunity for a new experience

Empty bed and chair
Feeling alone and deserted

Who's that callin'
Hearing a voice but not knowing who it is

Ain't nobody there
Feeling abandoned and unsupported