Run For Cover
Dan & Dan Lyrics
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And raised in the trees
Of western Kentucky
On wobbly knees
With mama beside you
To help you along
You'll soon be growing up strong
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane
Could never prepare you
For what lies ahead
The run for the roses so red
And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
You fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
It's high time you joined
In the dance
From sire to sire
It's born in the blood
The fire of a mare
And the strength of a stud
It's breeding and it's training
And it's something unknown
That drives you
And carries you home
And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
The song "Run for Cover" by Dan & Dan tells the story of a horse, born and raised in the valley and forest of western Kentucky. The song describes the horse's early life, starting as a weak and wobbly foal with its mother always by its side to help it along. As it grows, it experiences the beauty of nature, basking in the sun and feeling the wind on its mane. However, despite its idyllic upbringing, the horse is now faced with a new challenge: the run for the roses - a race for the ages.
The chorus of the song, "run for the roses as fast as you can, your fate is delivered, your moment's at hand," describes the stakes of the race, describing it as a chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance. The lyrics highlight the breeding and training that have gone into the horse's preparation for the run, an unknown force that drives and carries it home. Ultimately, the song is about seizing opportunities and taking chances, making the most of the cards one is dealt in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Born in the valley
Dan & Dan is referring to the humble beginnings of a yet-to-be-identified individual who was born in a valley.
And raised in the trees
This line refers to a metaphorical reality where this mystery individual was raised with the same zest as a tree that grows continually.
Of western Kentucky
The events described in the song are taking place in western Kentucky.
On wobbly knees
This line refers to the learning-to-walk stage of this individual's life.
With mama beside you
Dan & Dan is describing how the individual was raised with a strong support system, i.e., a prominent female figure and the support that came with it.
To help you along
This support helped the individual grow strong and overcome whatever hurdles that were in his path.
You'll soon be growing up strong
This line is a precursor to the next verse in the lyrics of the same song Run For Cover.
All the long, lazy mornings
Dan & Dan describes the idyllic life that the mystery individual leads with this line.
In pastures of green
This line refers to the vast, green fields that the individual was the inhabitant of.
The sun on your withers
The sun shining on the individual's back serves as a metaphor for the world at large, with an unbreakable source of energy that never runs out.
The wind in your mane
This line describes the free-spirited individual the person being referred to in the song is.
Could never prepare you
Dan & Dan believes that no matter how idyllic a situation is, it can never prepare you for what life throws at you.
For what lies ahead
This refers to the uncertainty that is always present in life.
The run for the roses so red
The 'run for the rose' is a metaphor for an opportunity in life that could change everything. It is symbolic for something grand.
And it's run for the roses
This line is a continuation of the last one.
As fast as you can
Dan & Dan implore the individual to grab the opportunity by the horns and make the most of it before it disappears into thin air.
You fate is delivered
This line refers to destiny. No matter how someone cultures themselves in life inevitably, fate knocks on their doors.
Your moment's at hand
Dan & Dan believes that, at this moment in time, the person's fate is staring them in the face.
It's the chance of a lifetime
This line refers to the rare opportunity to serve as a gateway to a better future.
In a lifetime of chance
This line refers to the numerous opportunities that people come across but passed on the chance to grab.
And it's high time you joined in the dance
This line is an invitation for the individual to join the dance; in other words, to grab the opportunity staring them in the face before it's too late.
From sire to sire
This line refers to the family tree of the individual Dan & Dan are describing.
It's born in the blood
This line is a metaphorical way of saying that certain things are hereditary and run in families; thus, the individual was the result of the genetic wellspring of their family tree.
The fire of a mare
This is another metaphorical way of referring to the individual's family tree.
And the strength of a stud
This is another metaphorical way that Dan & Dan is using to refer to the individual's family tree.
It's breeding and it's training
This line refers to how the individual ended up here, right in front of the rare opportunity he has before him.
And it's something unknown
Dan & Dan believes there's something mystical and unknown that pushes this individual to do what they're doing.
That drives you
The force that propels the intentions and actions of the individual being described in the lyrics of this song.
And carries you home
This line is a metaphor for the successful conclusion of the run for the rose opportunity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN FOGELBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind