I'm A Pilgrim
Brooklyn Allstars Lyrics


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A little blood and vomit on the car seat
And the tooth is sitting in my lap
Brother if you're hungry but not wounded
Then it's time to stop and check the map

Pilgrim, where's your head at
Are you paying the birds to sing
Well it won't work on the true path
Where the rich are growing wings

If the ancient wisdom came in bottles
I would tell my tarot where to go
But I don't know who would do the dishes
Cause I'd be laying wasted in the road

Pilgrim where's your head at
Are you paying the birds to sing
Meet me on the true path
I'll be dizzy from growing wings

My tears! My tears!
My kicking up the love dirt
I feel it's the only way

Pilgrim, what's you looking at me for?
My disaster has come and gone
Left me, by the roadside
With my shadow and one more song

Pilgrim, what's you looking at me for?
My disaster has come and gone




Left me, by the roadside
With my shadow and one more song

Overall Meaning

The Brooklyn Allstars’ song I’m A Pilgrim is a commentary on what it means to be on a spiritual journey. The lyrics, “A little blood and vomit on the car seat and the tooth is sitting in my lap,” indicate that this journey is not a smooth ride, but filled with bumps and bruises. Despite the hardships, the singer encourages listeners to keep moving forward. “Brother if you're hungry but not wounded, then it's time to stop and check the map,” implies that one must tackle their wounds before they continue on their journey.


The song suggests that true wisdom cannot be found in bottles, and the singer references tarot cards to distance themselves from conventional sources of spirituality. Rather, the message lies in experiencing life itself, “My tears! My tears! My kicking up the love dirt, I feel it's the only way." This line emphasizes the importance of the individual’s experiences and emotions on this spiritual journey which is different for everyone.


Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to not be fooled by false promises of a quick fix, “Pilgrim, where's your head at, are you paying the birds to sing, well it won't work on the true path, where the rich are growing wings.” True growth can only be achieved through spiritual experiences and genuine learning, “Meet me on the true path, I'll be dizzy from growing wings.”


Line by Line Meaning

A little blood and vomit on the car seat
The singer has experienced a traumatic event, likely an injury, and there is visible evidence of it in their surroundings.


And the tooth is sitting in my lap
The singer's injury was severe enough to result in losing a tooth, which they now hold in their lap.


Brother if you're hungry but not wounded
In this context, being wounded is a metaphor for experiencing difficulty or hardship, so the singer is saying that if someone is only hungry without experiencing any other struggles, they are not truly on the path of enlightenment.


Then it's time to stop and check the map
The artist is advising those on the path of enlightenment to regularly check their progress and reevaluate their direction.


Pilgrim, where's your head at
The artist is addressing those on the path of enlightenment and asking them to consider their focus and mindset.


Are you paying the birds to sing
The singer is suggesting that some may try to force or manipulate natural occurrences in their pursuit of enlightenment, which will ultimately be unsuccessful.


Well it won't work on the true path
The singer is emphasizing that true enlightenment cannot be achieved through these manipulative tactics.


Where the rich are growing wings
This line is a metaphor for the spiritual growth that occurs on the true path of enlightenment.


If the ancient wisdom came in bottles
The artist is reflecting on how easy it would be if enlightenment could be achieved through a simple potion or substance.


I would tell my tarot where to go
The artist is saying that if enlightenment could be achieved this easily, they would be able to predict and control their future.


But I don't know who would do the dishes
This is a metaphor for the fact that enlightenment would still require work and upkeep, even if it was easily achieved, and the singer is unsure who would be responsible for that upkeep.


Cause I'd be laying wasted in the road
The artist is saying that they would be too consumed by their own enlightenment to do mundane tasks, therefore rendering them useless in everyday life.


Meet me on the true path
The singer is inviting others to join them on the path of enlightenment.


I'll be dizzy from growing wings
This line is another metaphor for the spiritual growth that occurs on the path of enlightenment, with the singer suggesting that this growth can cause disorientation or confusion.


My tears! My tears!
The singer is expressing strong emotion, likely joy or relief, at the progress they have made on the path of enlightenment.


My kicking up the love dirt
This line is a metaphor for the artist's joyful expression of love and positivity on the path of enlightenment.


I feel it's the only way
The artist believes that the path of enlightenment is the only way to truly live a fulfilling life.


Pilgrim, what's you looking at me for?
The singer is challenging the listener to consider why they are seeking out the singer's guidance and direction.


My disaster has come and gone
The singer has experienced hardship or tragedy in the past, but has overcome it and moved on.


Left me, by the roadside
The artist has continued on their journey despite the past hardships, and is now in a better place.


With my shadow and one more song
The artist is still carrying the memories and lessons learned from their past struggles, and is using them to create a new chapter in their life.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MERLE TRAVIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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