Rock Island Line
Josh Small Lyrics
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But I guess I always knew
You tried to hide the smoking
Well I guess I knew that too
And I apologize for the things I could not do
I been scandalized
I heard that so have you
Like old times
And see the Rock Island Line
She's a mighty fine line
We could take a ride
The whistle sounds
I heard that kingdom come is coming down
But we ain't bound for glory
But heaven knows it feels the same
What's with the bandage?
I check your palms
Word on the street is you ain't even bleeding
And I can't imagine
That any sane boy couldn't mean what I'm meaning
Don't forget about Austin
When you're lying in bed and it's too hard for dreaming
But it's all fleeting
Anything that I said after I said I was leaving
But we should get down
Call hard times
And see the Rock Island Line
She's a mighty fine line
Between father and son
Ones' ordained
We ain't sharing but I'm sharing his name
And we ain't bound for glory
But heaven knows it feels the same
Jesus lives in the rafters
Of the broke down church on the avenue
He said he's waiting on the rapture
Cause there's nothing much else to do
And you might say that I've been playing the waiting game
But it sure enough feels the same
And you might say that I've been playing the waiting game
But it sure enough feels the same
Yes it sure enough, sure enough feels the same
In these lyrics, the singer is speaking to someone else and discussing their past together. The singer seems to have known about the other person's smoking habits despite their attempts to hide it, and the two share a history of being "scandalized". The singer apologizes for things they were unable to do, and suggests that they "get down" and take a ride on the Rock Island Line, which is described as a "mighty fine line". The lyrics mention a bandage on the other person's palms, which the singer checks and finds to be unnecessary. They also reference someone named Austin and mention a connection between them and the father and son relationship referred to earlier in the song. The lyrics end with a reference to Jesus living in a broke-down church and waiting for the rapture, with the singer commenting that they feel like they've been playing the waiting game as well.
Overall, the lyrics seem to have themes of nostalgia, regret, and a sense of waiting for something to happen. There are references to shared experiences and a desire to relive them, but also a sense of loss and the impossibility of changing the past. The Rock Island Line itself is described as a symbol of this desire to return to something that is gone, but also as a powerful force that can bring people together and make them feel connected.
Line by Line Meaning
I act surprised when you told me
I pretend to be shocked when you reveal information to me
But I guess I always knew
But in reality, I suspected it all along
You tried to hide the smoking
You attempted to conceal your smoking habits
Well I guess I knew that too
However, I was aware of that fact as well
And I apologize for the things I could not do
I express regret for the actions I was unable to take
I been scandalized
I have been subjected to scandalous treatment
I heard that so have you
I understand that you have also experienced scandal
But we should get down
But we should reunite
Like old times
As we did in the past
And see the Rock Island Line
And witness the beauty of the train tracks
She's a mighty fine line
The train track is an exceptional sight
We could take a ride
We could take a journey on the train
The whistle sounds
The train whistle is heard
I heard that kingdom come is coming down
I heard that the end of the world is approaching
But we ain't bound for glory
But we are not destined for greatness
But heaven knows it feels the same
But the experience is still heavenly
What's with the bandage?
Why do you have a bandage?
I check your palms
I examine your hands
Word on the street is you ain't even bleeding
The rumor is that you are not injured
And I can't imagine
And I cannot fathom
That any sane boy couldn't mean what I'm meaning
That any rational person would not understand my intentions
Don't forget about Austin
Do not overlook Austin
When you're lying in bed and it's too hard for dreaming
When you are struggling to fall asleep
But it's all fleeting
But it is all temporary
Anything that I said after I said I was leaving
Anything I uttered after I announced my departure
Call hard times
Acknowledge the difficult times
Between father and son
Between a father and his child
Ones' ordained
One has been chosen for a particular path
We ain't sharing but I'm sharing his name
We are not sharing something, but I am still using his name
Jesus lives in the rafters
Jesus resides in the upper part of the building
Of the broke down church on the avenue
Of the dilapidated church on the street
He said he's waiting on the rapture
He claimed that he is anticipating the end of the world
Cause there's nothing much else to do
Because there is nothing else to engage in
And you might say that I've been playing the waiting game
It could be argued that I have been idly passing the time
But it sure enough feels the same
But the experience is undoubtedly identical
Yes it sure enough, sure enough feels the same
Indeed, it undoubtedly feels identical
Contributed by Jeremiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.