Glen Hansard (frontman of The Frames) and Czech singer and pianist Markéta Irglová released their first album, The Swell Season, in Ireland in April 2006 - a collection of delicate, moving piano-led ballads, with wonderful cello and violin sounds. Listen to songs at: www.myspace.com/theswellseason.
Hansard and Markéta starred in the film 'Once' by writer/director John Carney (a former bass player of The Frames). Many songs of The Swell Season are used in this film, that has won the World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance 2007. For more info: http://www.myspace.com/oncethemovie
Hansard and Irglová recently received an Oscar for their original song "Falling Slowly" from 'Once.'
(See also Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová)
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rain won't lift
Gate won't close
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee! Ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair!
I don't care
How many letters they sent
Morning came and morning went
Pick up your money
And pack up your tent
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee! Ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair!
Buy me a flute
And a gun that shoots
Tailgates and substitutes
Strap yourself
To the tree with roots
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee! Ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair!
Genghis Khan
He could not keep
All his kings
Supplied with sleep
We'll climb that hill no matter how steep
When we get up to it
Whoo-ee! Ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair!
In this song, Glen Hansard and Marketa are offering a message of hope to the listener. The first few lines paint a bleak picture of the world, with swift clouds, unrelenting rain, and frozen railings. However, the chorus brings a sense of joy and exhilaration, telling the listener "You ain't goin' nowhere" because tomorrow is the day their bride (or whatever their heart desires) is going to come and they are going to fly down in the easy chair.
The song speaks to the idea that no matter how challenging the present moment may be, things will eventually improve. The verses provide a list of things that might weigh the listener down, such as unanswered letters and unchanging seasons, but the chorus remains a refrain of hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Clouds so swift
The clouds move so fast
Rain won't lift
The rain won't stop
Gate won't close
The gate won't shut
Railings froze
The railings are frozen
Get your mind off wintertime
Stop thinking about winter
You ain't goin' nowhere
You're not going anywhere
Whoo-ee! Ride me high
Expressing excitement and the desire to go fast
Tomorrow's the day
Tomorrow is the day
My bride's gonna come
My partner is coming
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Expressing excitement about the idea of flying
Down in the easy chair!
Relaxing in a comfortable position
I don't care
I don't mind
How many letters they sent
The number of letters they sent doesn't matter
Morning came and morning went
Morning has passed quickly
Pick up your money
Take your money
And pack up your tent
Pack up your belongings
Buy me a flute
Purchase a flute for me
And a gun that shoots
Buy a gun that shoots
Tailgates and substitutes
Referring to a specific lifestyle or activity
Strap yourself
Secure yourself
To the tree with roots
Tie yourself to a tree
Genghis Khan
Referring to a historical figure
He could not keep
He couldn't maintain
All his kings
All of his leaders
Supplied with sleep
Able to sleep well
We'll climb that hill no matter how steep
We'll overcome any obstacle
When we get up to it
When we reach that point
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind