Nomads
Howlin Rain Lyrics


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Carry me back into the sand
Into the sand with the flowers and the fern
Old Mr. Centipede climbing tobacco leaves
Looking for livers and hearts for to eat

Cold and gray clouds staining the sounds
Straining the weight of a sorrowful sky
Wool on the trees, dust on the eves
The bark on the pines is worse than its bite

All of the lines have been lies this far
There is a feeling I must keep from you

The hills of nomads, we envy their lives
A picture we love, hills have eyes
This old motel song you dig when you're stoned
But sounds like a cheap shot
When you're sober and cold

But if you are
As stoned as a ghost in the snow
Your eyes will be blue flames

These lines are crawling snakes up your open legs
You wear them pale and fine
This is the line I'll give you true as the dawn
While the furious eye on the sun is upon us

The way your breasts dance while we're making love
Now that is a line penned by a divinely guided hand

Tailwind carry the birds to the coast
To watch the clouds roll along




Pollen and pitch whisper the scripture
Of kings in a tongue only spoken by ghosts

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Howlin Rain's "Nomads" paint a vivid picture of natural imagery and a longing for a nomadic lifestyle. The first lines of the song draw the listener into a sandy and flourishing environment, where even the centipede climbing the tobacco leaves is described as a part of the beauty. However, this imagery is juxtaposed with the sorrowful sky and dusty trees, reminding the listener of the harsh realities of nature.


The second verse speaks to a feeling of deception, with a sense that the singer has been misled. The third verse is where the theme of nomads comes into play. The hills of nomads are seen as enviable, with their carefree, wandering way of life. However, the song acknowledges that this is perhaps a romanticized image, and that it may not be as idyllic as it seems. The final verse seems to bring together the other themes of the song, with references to birds, clouds, and the whispering of pitch and pollen that only ghosts can understand.


Overall, "Nomads" is a song that celebrates the beauty of nature while acknowledging its harshness, and explores the appeal of a life free from societal constraints.


Line by Line Meaning

Carry me back into the sand
Take me back to a simpler time and place


Into the sand with the flowers and the fern
A calm and peaceful natural environment I wish to return to


Old Mr. Centipede climbing tobacco leaves
A visual representation of the insects present in nature


Looking for livers and hearts for to eat
An indication that nature is both beautiful and cruel


Cold and gray clouds staining the sounds
A change in climate that impacts all that we hear and see


Straining the weight of a sorrowful sky
A metaphor for the sadness and melancholy that can come with changes


Wool on the trees, dust on the eves
The natural aspects of the world around us that we often don't think about


The bark on the pines is worse than its bite
Appearances can be deceiving, and what you see isn't necessarily what you get


All of the lines have been lies this far
Previous experiences or ideas have not been truthful or accurate


There is a feeling I must keep from you
Something that the artist feels but is unable or unwilling to share


The hills of nomads, we envy their lives
Wandering in nature, free from societal constraints, is something that the singer desires


A picture we love, hills have eyes
Finding beauty in the landscape around us, even if it may be intimidating or dangerous


This old motel song you dig when you're stoned
A nostalgic song or sound that can only be appreciated under certain circumstances


But sounds like a cheap shot
When not under the influence, that same song or sound may lose its appeal


But if you are As stoned as a ghost in the snow
Being under the influence can change your perception of reality


Your eyes will be blue flames
A visual representation of altered and heightened senses


These lines are crawling snakes up your open legs
Something that causes fear and discomfort


You wear them pale and fine
The singer has somehow come to accept their situation despite its unpleasant nature


This is the line I'll give you true as the dawn
A statement that can be trusted and relied upon


While the furious eye on the sun is upon us
Despite troubling times or situations, life goes on and we must persevere


The way your breasts dance while we're making love
One of the things that the artist finds most beautiful and captivating in their partner


Now that is a line penned by a divinely guided hand
A sentiment that is not only beautiful, but truly inspired


Tailwind carry the birds to the coast
Nature's forces coming together to produce something truly awe-inspiring


To watch the clouds roll along
Taking the time to appreciate the beauty that is all around us


Pollen and pitch whisper the scripture
The natural elements that surround us carry infinite wisdom and beauty


Of kings in a tongue only spoken by ghosts
Knowledge, power, and secrets that may only be understood by the dead or supernatural forces




Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ETHAN MILLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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