Dusty Road
Hunter and The Bear Lyrics
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Dry dusty road
Brother, won't you carry me along
This dry dusty road
Children shallying
Playing in the morning sun
Spike-heeled lady
You set my soul on fire
You set me on my own
Broke-down car but the wheels still roll
Down the dry, dry dusty road
Stuck inside a tunnel
Beset with diamond lies
Wings of night enclosing
Like a long, long night without a dawning
Being bent on ruin
I tried to sell my name
All that I got for it
Was one good look at flame
Drive, drive dusty road
Dry dusty road
Oh brother, let me carry you along
This dry dusty road
In that flame I saw a face
I've never seen before
If they ask me why, I know
Just who I done this for
No one else to come to
Not much else I know
Not much else I'm good for
Lay away my lady-o
You set my soul on fire
You set me on my own
Broke-down car but the wheels still roll
Down the dry, dry dusty road
Dry dusty road
Dry, dry
Dry dusty road
Dry dusty road
Dry dusty road
The song "Dusty Road" by Hunter and The Bear is a poetic riff on the idea of loneliness and self-discovery. The song's lyrics speak of a dry and dusty road, a metaphor for the barren landscape of a person's soul. The song's opening lines, "Dry dusty road, brother won't you carry me along" sets the tone for the song's meditative mood. The singer is asking for somebody to provide them with some company, but it is unclear whether they will find it or not.
The song's middle section references the image of children playing in the morning sun and a spike-heeled lady running through the burying ground. These images build on the sense of loneliness, as if the children and the lady are the only ones who are alive, while the singer is stuck on their dry and dusty road. The next lines speak of being "bent on ruin" and trying to sell one's name, but only getting a "good look at flame." The singer seems to be reflecting on past mistakes and poor choices, which led them to this dry and lonely place.
The song's closing lines speak of how the singer's soul was set on fire by someone or something, and how they are still rolling down the dusty road, feeling lost and alone. The song's final repetition of "dry dusty road" is a haunting reminder that the journey towards self-discovery is often a long and difficult one.
Line by Line Meaning
Dry dusty road
The path forward is difficult and barren, without much hope for relief or assistance.
Dry dusty road
The path forward is difficult and barren, without much hope for relief or assistance.
Brother, won't you carry me along
Asking for help to make it through difficult times and overcome the challenges of the dry, dusty road ahead.
This dry dusty road
Restating the barren nature of the path forward and the need for assistance to make it through.
Children shallying
Kids playing carelessly and unconcerned about the surrounding world.
Playing in the morning sun
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life, free from worry or concern.
Spike-heeled lady
A woman who is self-assured and confident, wearing fashionable and distinctive shoes.
Running through the burying ground
Moving forward with a sense of urgency, even through places of mourning and finality.
You set my soul on fire
Feeling so strongly and passionately about someone or something that it ignites a burning passion deep within.
You set me on my own
Thanks to the inspiration or encouragement of someone, feeling more self-assured and able to face challenges head-on.
Broke-down car but the wheels still roll
Even though things may be difficult or not working perfectly, perseverance and determination keeps one moving forward.
Down the dry, dry dusty road
Continuing on the difficult path ahead, with little hope for improvement or relief.
Stuck inside a tunnel
Falling into a situation where there seems to be little hope or escape – a metaphorical tunnel with no light at the end of it.
Beset with diamond lies
Faced with lies so shiny and captivating that they seem to be precious diamonds, hiding the truth beneath.
Wings of night enclosing
Feeling trapped and suffocated by darkness and despair, with no hope of seeing light or a new day.
Like a long, long night without a dawning
A never-ending period of darkness and difficulty, with no hope or signs of relief on the horizon.
Being bent on ruin
Feeling like destruction or failure is inevitable.
I tried to sell my name
At a loss for how to make things better, resorting to desperate and ineffective measures.
All that I got for it
Despite my efforts, nothing seemed to improve or get better.
Was one good look at flame
Caught a glimpse of a glimmer of hope or inspiration that reignited something within.
Drive, drive dusty road
Emphasizing the need to keep moving forward, even when facing difficult and overwhelming challenges.
Dry dusty road
Restating the barren and difficult nature of the path ahead.
Oh brother, let me carry you along
Offering help and support to someone else who is struggling with the same challenges.
This dry dusty road
Restating the barren and difficult nature of the path ahead.
In that flame I saw a face
Something inspired or reignited hope, leading to a new perspective or realization.
I've never seen before
Gaining a new understanding or insight that was not previously present.
If they ask me why, I know
A newfound clarity around what was previously unclear or uncertain.
Just who I done this for
Understanding the reasons and motivations behind overcoming difficult challenges and persevering through hardship.
No one else to come to
Feeling alone and without help or support from others.
Not much else I know
Despite the challenging circumstances, holding onto what is familiar or comfortable as a source of stability.
Not much else I'm good for
Feeling stuck or trapped, without the ability or motivation to change the current circumstances.
Lay away my lady-o
Preparing for the worst, either physically or emotionally, and setting aside what is important before it is taken away or changed irrevocably.
You set my soul on fire
Repeating the intense and passionate emotions that were initially ignited.
You set me on my own
Reaffirming the sense of independence and motivation that was created with the initial spark of passion.
Broke-down car but the wheels still roll
Repeating the idea that even though things may be difficult or not working perfectly, perseverance is key to moving forward.
Down the dry, dry dusty road
Restating the theme of the song – continuing on the difficult path ahead, with little hope for improvement or relief.
Dry dusty road
Restating the barren and difficult nature of the path ahead.
Dry, dry
Emphasizing the dry and barren nature of the path forward.
Dry dusty road
Restating the barren and difficult nature of the path ahead.
Dry dusty road
Restating the barren and difficult nature of the path ahead.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind