The Grove
Chuck Ragan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never get me answering
To the cold hand of the dying man
Bred to take and to rape what the leavers left
Oh come on.
Show a little mercy to dying suns
Oh come on
Some will go as the timid type
Facing down soul strapped inside
The method of the trilene knot
Never fails until the line is cut
So come on
Show a little sympathy tired ones
So come on
Show a little empathy busy ones
And slow down
We are all flesh and bone
Mere vessels so exposed
Just walking on the grove
We are constant wrath
With what we think we own
While we walk upon
And tread upon the grove
On the contrary some will walk
In the dirt cut up by the dogs
Soaking up the sun and rain
Just to break and to shake up captivity
So come on
Destruction is the nature of everyone
So come on
Destruction is the killer of everyone
So calm down
We are all flesh and bone
Mere vessels so exposed
Just walking on the grove
We are constant wrath
With what we think we own
While we walk upon
And tread upon the grove
The song "The Grove" by Chuck Ragan is a poignant reflection on life and our mistreatment of the earth. The opening lines speak to the disregard for nature and the push for progress that has led us to the edge of destruction. The singer urges us to "cut the line" and refuse to follow the path of destruction laid out by those in power.
As the song progresses, Ragan implores the listener to have empathy for the tired and humble, and to slow down and show mercy to those around us. He reminds us that we are all "mere vessels so exposed" and that our constant pursuit of material possessions and progress is ultimately self-destructive.
The final verse speaks to the resilience of life, even in the face of destruction. While some "walk in the dirt cut up by the dogs," others "break and shake up captivity," refusing to be held down by the forces that seek to do them harm. Ragan urges us to remember that destruction is a natural part of life, but we must also learn to calm down and work towards a sustainable future.
Overall, "The Grove" is a powerful call to action, urging us to reexamine our priorities and work towards a more just and sustainable world.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut the line I've heard the rest
Ignore the usual rhetoric and cliches, I won't respond to them
You'll never get me answering
I won't be swayed by anyone's words, I'll stick to my own beliefs
To the cold hand of the dying man
I won't be influenced by the desperation of those in power or those nearing the end of their lives
Bred to take and to rape what the leavers left
Many of us are born into a world where we consume and exploit what has been abandoned by those before us
Show a little mercy to dying suns
We should have empathy for those who are struggling or dying
Show a little mercy to humble ones
We should be kind to those who are unassuming or modest
Some will go as the timid type
Some people will be quiet and reserved
Facing down soul strapped inside
Dealing with internal conflicts or emotions
The method of the trilene knot
A fishing knot known for its strength and reliability
Never fails until the line is cut
Something will continue to work perfectly until it can no longer function due to external circumstances
Show a little sympathy tired ones
We should have compassion for those who are worn out or exhausted
Show a little empathy busy ones
We should understand the pressures faced by those who are busy or occupied
And slow down
Take a moment to pause and reflect
We are all flesh and bone
We are all human beings
Mere vessels so exposed
We are vulnerable and fragile
Just walking on the grove
We are all journeying through life
We are constant wrath
We are always struggling to control our emotions and reactions
With what we think we own
We are attached to material possessions
While we walk upon
As we go through life
And tread upon the grove
And step on the ground beneath our feet
On the contrary some will walk
In contrast, some people will take a different path
In the dirt cut up by the dogs
In rough or challenging conditions
Soaking up the sun and rain
Taking in all the experiences and emotions that come their way
Just to break and to shake up captivity
In order to free themselves from confinement, whether physical or mental
Destruction is the nature of everyone
All of us have a part of us that is self-destructive or has the capacity to cause harm
Destruction is the killer of everyone
Ultimately, allowing destruction to rule our lives will lead to our downfall
So calm down
Take a moment to find inner peace and clarity
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.