Wander Lust
Flogging Molly Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you still walk the streets at night?
With the wanderlust you fight
Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways

Well, I love to photograph your hand
Andshake it for a while
'Cause you learn so much about someone
A brother or a swine

The veins that plough beneath your path
With so many tales to tell
Picture out of focus in a frame where no one cares

Calm the ocean breeze, quiet the raging sea
This stormy ship we sail is a bottle filled with rage

Do you still walk the streets at night?
With the wanderlust you fight
Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways

Well, we walked upon the railroad
'Cause the train no longer ran
Where we caught a glimpse of all we missed
From the stars that filled your eyes

With a dollar in your only coat
And a fireball in your hand
You set your sails for better days
Down in South Australia

Dark though it has been there
Your old spirit still shines within
These last thirteen years depraved, uh
Of us anything that's worth saying

Do you still walk the streets at night?
With the wanderlust you fight
Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways

So raise a cheer to those forgotten years
Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways

Now the carnival is going home
The ferris wheel is spent
For those roving years of endless jeers
Have dried all that was left

Calm the ocean breeze and quiet the raging sea
This stormy ship we sail is a bottle filled with rage

Do you still walk the streets at night?
With the wanderlust you fight
Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways

Do you still walk the streets at night?
With the wanderlust you fight
Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways, separate ways




Back to the corner
Where we went our separate ways

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Flogging Molly's song The Wanderlust speak to a yearning for adventure and freedom, captured in the idea of wanderlust. The singer is reminiscing about past experiences with someone who shared this wanderlust with them, as they both walked the streets at night. The relationship between the two is somewhat ambiguous, though it seems to be significant in some way as the singer takes joy in simply shaking the other person's hand. The idea that one can learn so much about someone simply from shaking their hand reflects the idea of the penetrating insight that comes with true intimacy.


The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the wanderer's life, with references to railroads, fireballs, and South Australia. There is a sense of danger that comes with this lifestyle, as conveyed through the image of a "stormy ship we sail," which is "a bottle filled with rage." The song, however, is not all darkness and danger. There is a sense of nostalgia and fondness for the experiences shared with the other person, and a celebration of the bond that they once shared. The lyrics are a reminder to cherish these moments and to seek out new adventures, however perilous they may be.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you still walk the streets at night?
Asking if the person still has the restless desire to explore and roam during nighttime.


With the wanderlust you fight
Acknowledging the struggle of fighting the urge to roam and satisfy wanderlust.


Back to the corner
Returning to a point in time or a specific place.


Where we went our separate ways
Referring to a point in the past where two individuals parted ways and followed different paths.


Well, I love to photograph your hand
Expressing affection for someone by taking a photo of their hand as a way of learning more about them.


Andshake it for a while
Taking the time to shake the hand and introduce oneself to the other person.


'Cause you learn so much about someone
Believing that shaking someone's hand is a way to gain insight into their character and personality.


A brother or a swine
Referring to the fact that people can either be kind and decent or unpleasant and cruel.


The veins that plough beneath your path
Describing the roads and paths that have been taken and the experiences that have resulted from them.


With so many tales to tell
Believing that each road and experience has its own unique story.


Picture out of focus in a frame where no one cares
Referring to a moment or memory that is not in clear focus and is not valued or important to anyone else.


Calm the ocean breeze, quiet the raging sea
Using figurative language to represent the calming of emotions and finding peace within oneself.


This stormy ship we sail is a bottle filled with rage
Describing a tumultuous life journey filled with anger and frustration.


Well, we walked upon the railroad
Describing a moment shared with someone where they walked on a railroad that was no longer in use.


'Cause the train no longer ran
Explaining why the railroad was empty and available for them to walk on.


Where we caught a glimpse of all we missed
Reflecting on past experiences and realizing what was missed or overlooked before.


From the stars that filled your eyes
Referencing the shine and excitement in someone's eyes that illuminated their spirit and passion.


With a dollar in your only coat
Having very little possessions or money, but still pursuing dreams and exploring new places.


And a fireball in your hand
Holding a small, fiery, and passionate spark.


You set your sails for better days
Optimistically pursuing a new direction or journey in search of a better future.


Down in South Australia
Referring to a specific location where the person went on this new journey.


Dark though it has been there
Acknowledging that there have been challenging moments in that location.


Your old spirit still shines within
Recognizing that despite hardships, the person's spirit and passion still remains a defining part of who they are.


These last thirteen years depraved, uh
Referencing a specific time period that has been difficult and challenging.


Of us anything that's worth saying
Implying that during that difficult period, there wasn't much that was worthwhile or noteworthy to discuss or mention.


So raise a cheer to those forgotten years
Raising a glass to commemorate and celebrate challenging and forgotten times.


Now the carnival is going home
Referencing the end of a spontaneous and wild period in time.


The ferris wheel is spent
The fun and excitement of the moment has run out.


For those roving years of endless jeers
Reflecting on past times filled with mocking and teasing.


Have dried all that was left
Acknowledging that the negative experiences have taken their toll and left little behind.


Where we went our separate ways, separate ways
Repeating the line to emphasize the idea of two individuals going down different paths.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOANNA HACKETT, ROGER KING, ROGER FRANK KING, STEPHEN RICHARD HACKETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions