Promised Land
Bruce & the E Street Band Springsteen Lyrics
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I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving 'cross the Waynesboro county line
I got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon little girl I'm gonna take charge
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
I've done my best to live the right way
I get up every morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode
Explode and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Find somebody itching for something to start
The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could wrench one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
Well there's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted
The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land
The opening verse finds the singer on a high-speed highway in the desert, carrying his hard-earned cash and heading back to town. But as he reflects on his life, he starts to feel restless and disillusioned. He's still living at home and working in his father's garage, but he dreams of something bigger and better. The dogs on Main Street howl, meaning they understand his frustration and desire for freedom. The song's chorus expresses his belief in a promised land; a place where he can truly become a man and take control of his future.
The second verse describes the singer's struggle to uphold his morals and stay on the right path in life. He's working hard, but he feels like it's not enough. His inner turmoil starts to manifest in violent thoughts, but he knows he needs to find a healthier outlet for his pent-up energy. In the third verse, the singer expresses his determination to face any obstacles that come his way. He's packing his bags and preparing for the storm, ready to blow away the dreams and lies that have been holding him back. Ultimately, he still believes in the promised land, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
Overall, "Promised Land" is a song about ambition, restlessness, and the pursuit of the American dream. The singer is yearning for something more meaningful than his current situation, and he knows that he has to work hard to achieve it. The dogs on Main Street symbolize the singer's frustration and the constant reminder of his need for change. The song's chorus is a statement of hope and determination; no matter how difficult the journey may be, the singer still believes in the promised land.
Line by Line Meaning
On a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert
I am driving on a dangerous and fast road through deserted land in Utah
I pick up my money and head back into town
I have completed a job and am returning to civilization with my earnings
Driving 'cross the Waynesboro county line
I am crossing into a new county in my car
I got the radio on and I'm just killing time
I am passing time by listening to the radio while driving
Working all day in my daddy's garage
I spend long hours at my job working in my father's car repair business
Driving all night chasing some mirage
I spend my nights driving aimlessly, searching for something intangible
Pretty soon little girl I'm gonna take charge
I am determined to take control of my life and make things happen
The dogs on Main Street howl
The dogs are howling because they sense a change is coming
'Cause they understand
The dogs have a deep understanding of the world and its changes
If I could take one moment into my hands
If I had the opportunity to make a significant change, even for a brief moment
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
I am a mature adult, not a naive youth
And I believe in a promised land
I have faith that there is a better future ahead
I've done my best to live the right way
I have tried to live a moral and just life
I get up every morning and go to work each day
I am a responsible worker who starts every day with purpose
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Over time, life's struggles can wear a person down and make them lose hope
Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode
The pain and struggle can become so overwhelming that I feel like I am about to burst
Explode and tear this whole town apart
In moments of desperation, I feel like lashing out and causing destruction
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
I wish I could remove the emotional pain that I am feeling
Find somebody itching for something to start
I am looking for someone who is also ready to take action and make a change
Well there's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
The future looks bleak and uncertain, and there is trouble on the horizon
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Despite the danger ahead, I am determined to face it head-on and keep moving forward
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
The upheaval that is coming will be powerful and devastating
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Those who do not have faith in the future will not be able to weather the coming storm
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
The coming hardship will destroy false hopes and unrealistic aspirations
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
The emotional pain of shattered dreams will also be swept away by the storm
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted
Falsehoods that have led me astray will be exposed, leaving me feeling aimless and emotionally shattered
And I believe in a promised land
Nevertheless, I still have faith in a brighter future, despite the trials ahead
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rapbuck3
Get goosebumps when Clarence’s sax comes up. Damn what a performance and what a crowd.
It’s magical.
@lindahellestl7754
Same❤
@michaelgladman8591
You will never feel more alive than at a Bruce Springsteen show . . . He empties the tank every single time and gives you everything he’s got. And that’s all you can ask. Remarkable.
@johnthorne4093
I love your comment. I have only seen Springsteen live two times in my life. The first was in 1984, on the second show of his "Born in the USA" tour, in St Paul, Minnesota (this would be the night after Courtney Cox co-starred in the "Dancing in the Dark" video, at the same arena). Bruce started "The Promised Land". Somewhere in the first verse, he realized (and you could see it on the projection screens) that the crowd was singing, shouting, screaming, his lyrics back at him, LOUDER than he was singing and the band was playing. Young men, and young women, were feeling the late-teens, early-20s frustration, ambition, yearning, that this song is about, and standing on the armrests of their chairs in the arena, feeding back to him the inspiration live, that he had given them, on records, jukeboxes, and the radio: "Mister, I ain't a boy (girl); no, I'm a man (woman), and I believe in a promised land!" He got a huge smile on his face, stopped singing, and held out his microphone, for the deafening sound, the message, and the love (I think) to come back to him.
@patrickgermann812
I agree with Michael. It is an energy I carry and love. Hairs stick up just thinking about the shows. Just want another and hope to be able to see him again after covid.
@penny6933
So true, he lives music.
@valerietomsic8454
He has done this for YEARS.....I knew him when I was right out of high school....he comped tickets to my boyfriend at the time to see them at RUTGERS University...OMG they about tore that place down....it was awesome! He GIVES IT his ALL every show!
@MichelleLopez-ge1xy
Hoping to see
@jannaghaleiw5504
"Blow away the dreams that tear you apart, blow away the dreams that break your heart, blow away the lies that leave you nothing, but lost and brokenhearted" I believe these lyrics are timeless, amazing songwriting.
@mickjbrooks40
The whole final verse is amazing.