The High Road
Josh Radnor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For what I can′t say
I slept through the night
But all was not right
When I met the new day
One drink from the river
And you will forget
You've got to forgive
But I′m not there yet
I heard that the high road
Is the road I should take
To be like the branches
That bend but don't break
I wanna take the high road
But I've lost the map
And my life on the low road
Always calls me back
I′m not playing the victim
Well, so what if I am?
If he fell down the well
Would I wish him well?
Would I give a damn?
I′ve dug in my heels
I've stiffened my back
What would Jesus do?
And other sages too
Probably not that
Been told that the high road
Is a much better trip
If you heed the directions
And follow the script
Now I′m here at the crossroads
Don't know which way to go
My heart wants the high road
But my head wants the low
I know it′s the high road
That will set me free
It's the road that′ll get me
Where I want to be
So if you take the high road
I say don't ever leave
You don't wanna take the low road
Take it from me
The opening lines of Josh Radnor's song The High Road suggest that the singer is struggling with a sense of unease or dissatisfaction that they can't quite put their finger on. They may have everything they need in life, but something is still missing. The next two lines imply that this problem may have kept them up at night, or perhaps that they have woken up to a realization that they are unhappy with some aspect of their life. The line "when I met the new day" suggests that this is a fresh start, but that doesn't necessarily mean the singer is ready to let go of their past and move forward.
The second verse introduces the idea that there is a solution to this sense of discontentment. The suggestion is that if the singer drinks from a metaphorical "river" (presumably a symbol for letting go of grudges and forgiving those who have wronged us), they will be able to forget their past problems and live a happier life. However, the singer admits that they are not quite ready to take this step. The chorus then comes in, suggesting that taking the high road (i.e., forgiving others, letting go of grudges, and being a better person) is the way to be truly happy and fulfilled. But the singer has lost the map, and their inclination towards the "low road" (i.e., holding onto anger and resentment) keeps pulling them back.
There's also an interesting tension in the song between the singer's desire to be a good person and their acknowledgement that that's easier said than done. The reference to Jesus and other sages implies that the singer wants to be guided by moral principles and do the right thing, but the lines "probably not that" and "been told that the high road is a much better trip" suggest that they're not entirely sold on the idea. It's not that they don't want to be a good person, but they're struggling with the practical realities of actually living up to that ideal.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke with a hunger
I woke up feeling an intense desire
For what I can't say
I cannot express what I really desire
I slept through the night
Despite my inner turmoil, I was able to sleep
But all was not right
Despite sleeping, I am still not at peace
When I met the new day
With every new day, I am reminded of my struggles
One drink from the river
One act of forgiveness can help me move on
And you will forget
Forgiveness can help me let go of my pain and anger
That if you want to live
Holding onto grudges and anger can prevent living fully
You've got to forgive
Forgiveness is necessary for a fulfilling life
But I'm not there yet
I am struggling to forgive and let go of my hurt
I heard that the high road
I heard that taking the path of forgiveness and kindness is the best option
Is the road I should take
Taking the high road is the right choice
To be like the branches
Taking the high road allows for flexibility and resilience
That bend but don't break
Forgiveness and kindness allow a person to handle adversity without being broken
I wanna take the high road
I desire to choose forgiveness and kindness in my life
But I've lost the map
I am unsure of how to choose the high road in difficult situations
And my life on the low road
My tendency to hold grudges and pursue revenge is pulling me towards the low road
Always calls me back
It is difficult for me to resist the temptation of the low road
I'm not playing the victim
I do not want to be seen as a victim
Well, so what if I am?
But even if I am seen as a victim, it does not excuse my actions
If he fell down the well
If my enemy was in a dire situation
Would I wish him well?
Would I be able to show him kindness and forgiveness?
Would I give a damn?
Would I even care about his suffering?
I've dug in my heels
I am stubborn and resistant to the idea of forgiveness and kindness
I've stiffened my back
I am defensive and closed off to anything that challenges me
What would Jesus do?
I wonder how Jesus would handle this situation
And other sages too
I am looking for guidance from other wise figures
Probably not that
Their actions would likely be more forgiving and compassionate than my own
Been told that the high road
I have heard that choosing forgiveness and kindness is the better choice
Is a much better trip
Forgiveness and compassion lead to a more fulfilling life
If you heed the directions
If you actively choose forgiveness and kindness
And follow the script
If you commit to choosing the high road
Now I'm here at the crossroads
I am at a point where I must choose between forgiveness and revenge
Don't know which way to go
I am uncertain of which choice to make
My heart wants the high road
My inner self desires to choose forgiveness and compassion
But my head wants the low
But my practical self is tempted to choose revenge and anger
I know it's the high road
I understand that choosing forgiveness and compassion is the right choice
That will set me free
Forgiveness and kindness lead to emotional freedom
It's the road that'll get me
Choosing the high road is the path to emotional growth
Where I want to be
I desire to be a person who is forgiving and compassionate
So if you take the high road
If you choose forgiveness and compassion
I say don't ever leave
I suggest committing to the choice and sticking with it
You don't wanna take the low road
Choosing revenge and anger will not lead to a fulfilling life
Take it from me
I speak from personal experience
Writer(s): Josh Radnor
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
A VER GASTON
And that, kids, is how I got a platinum record.
Kyle Cupp
Probably not with this song
Ana Bada
That's an incredible song. You are one of the most talented people and I wish you all the best.
Letter
dude, i from russia. and I learned English watching how I met your mother in English.,
and for me you are not just an actor, you are something more
Where are They NOW and Lifestyle
Who else read his comment in Russian accent
Madhav27_ s
Gosh I was literally just watching "Liberal Arts" and got the notification about this....so I waited for the movie to end and here is this song, it just hits you
For reasons the movie and the song connect at some level xd
Theo Thurston
Josh I’m so glad your posting again , hope your okay . Your Musics amazing !
Bora Usta
@Ascetic nice
Ascetic
@Bora Usta Well I knew he was from that show even though I never watched it. I have actually watched him in the Amazon series, Hunters, though, and I enjoyed his performance there. I didn't know he was a musician, though, and found him on YouTube purely by chance.
Bora Usta
@Ascetic Where do you know Josh from?