Jesse Marchant (JBM) is a Swiss-Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer-song… Read Full Bio ↴Jesse Marchant (JBM) is a Swiss-Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer based in New York. His melancholic folk songs have been featured on several Emmy-winning TV shows, including Grey's Anatomy, Parenthood and Shameless. He has toured with artists such as alt-J, Local Natives, A.A. Bondy and Damien Jurado.

On Fire On A Tightrope
Jesse Marchant Lyrics

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If you find your way
And get on your feet
One sunny day come walk with me
In lonely days
On fire on a tightrope
In dead ends I found a home

One new day off a crowded street

Above the rain began to freeze
And I watched your face
Alive in the first snow
In your eyes the light of home

In the morning tide
In a role that I had filed long away
I resolved in the deeps

In the hope to find a way
Did I become inane

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jesse Marchant's song "On Fire On A Tightrope" evoke a sense of longing and introspection. The first verse speaks about finding one's way and getting back on their feet, inviting someone to join them on this journey. The phrase "in lonely days" suggests a period of solitude or isolation, and "on fire on a tightrope" alludes to a feeling of being caught between extremes or facing challenges. Despite encountering dead ends, the singer has somehow found a home within them, implying a resilience and adaptability.

In the second verse, the scene shifts to a crowded street, where the rain begins to freeze. This moment of change is observed by the singer, who watches the other person's face come alive in the first snowfall. The phrase "in your eyes the light of home" signifies a deep connection, a sense of belonging and comfort found in another person, perhaps suggesting that the other person is the singer's metaphorical home.

The last lines of the lyrics introduce a sense of introspection and self-doubt. The mention of a "role that I had filed long away" hints at a past version of the singer, a role or identity that they have tucked away or discarded. The resolve to find a way is juxtaposed with the question of whether this pursuit was foolish or pointless, questioning if they have become "inane" or lacking purpose. This brings a bittersweet tone to the song, reflecting on the complexities of personal growth and the uncertainties that come with it.

Overall, "On Fire On A Tightrope" explores themes of self-discovery, connection, and the emotional nuances that accompany navigating one's path in life.

Line by Line Meaning

If you find your way
If you discover your true path in life

And get on your feet
And become self-sufficient and independent

One sunny day come walk with me
One beautiful day, join me on a journey

In lonely days
During times of solitude

On fire on a tightrope
Passionate and vulnerable, walking a thin line

In dead ends I found a home
I discovered comfort and familiarity in hopeless situations

One new day off a crowded street
One day, away from the hustle and bustle of city life

Above the rain began to freeze
As the rain turned to ice in the sky

And I watched your face
And I observed the expressions on your face

Alive in the first snow
Full of life and joy in the presence of snowfall

In your eyes the light of home
I see a sense of belonging and comfort in your eyes