Wherever You Are
Karoo Lyrics
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The white man came and left you without a home
Moneto is calling, he hears the rage in your heart
And fire in your eyes sets you apart
High on a misty mountain, looking down at us
We're fighting and dying for our foolish lust
Tecumsen you were hiding your soul in the past
But the sorrow in your heart fooled everyone of us
If you call, I will follow
Wherever you are, whatever you do
If you fall, I'm right beside you
And though they're gone forever, the memories remain
Beyond the great wide open
Lies an endless plain
Ancient bones have turned to dust, those who dies in vain
The mighty rivers and mountains
Still bear witness to the past
Chorus
The lyrics of Karoo's "Wherever You Are" are a powerful tribute to an indigenous person who has been displaced and mistreated by colonial forces. The song urges the person to stand up and be counted, to know that they are not alone in their struggles. It acknowledges the pain and anger that the person feels at having been left without a home and supports the fire in their heart that sets them apart.
The second verse speaks of Tecumsen, a Native American leader who fought against the encroachment of white settlers on his people's land. The lyrics describe him as hiding his soul in the past, perhaps because he had suffered so greatly at the hands of the colonizers. However, the sorrow in his heart fooled others into thinking he had given up the fight. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "wherever you are, wherever you go," emphasizes that no matter how difficult the struggle or how far the person may find themselves from their roots, they will always have someone who will follow them and stand beside them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Wherever You Are" are a tribute to the resilience and strength of indigenous people who have faced centuries of oppression and violence. The song reminds us that the memories of those who have been lost or displaced remain with us, even as we look forward to creating a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand up and be counted, for you are not alone
Do not fear, for you are not alone. You must stand up for yourself and be counted.
The white man came and left you without a home
The white man invaded our land and took away our homes and identities.
Moneto is calling, he hears the rage in your heart
The spirits of our ancestors are calling to us, they can hear the pain and anger in our hearts.
And fire in your eyes sets you apart
The passion in your eyes makes you unique and sets you apart from others.
High on a misty mountain, looking down at us
From the top of a mountain peak, one can observe the battles and conflicts taking place below.
We're fighting and dying for our foolish lust
We are engaged in constant conflict and bloodshed fueled by our ignorance and selfish desires.
Tecumsen you were hiding your soul in the past
Tecumsen, you hid your true self in the past and we were unaware of your inner struggles.
But the sorrow in your heart fooled everyone of us
Despite your efforts to conceal your pain, we were eventually able to see through your facade.
Chorus: Wherever you are, wherever you go
If you call, I will follow
Wherever you are, whatever you do
If you fall, I'm right beside you
I will always be there for you, no matter where you are or what you are going through. If you need me, just call and I will be by your side.
And though they're gone forever, the memories remain
Beyond the great wide open
Lies an endless plain
Even though our loved ones are no longer with us, their memories continue to live on. The vast expanse of the land serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities and opportunities that life holds.
Ancient bones have turned to dust, those who dies in vain
The mighty rivers and mountains
Still bear witness to the past
Those who were unjustly killed have now turned to dust, but the natural landmarks of the land continue to bear witness to the past events and injustices that took place.
Chorus
I promise to be there for you through thick and thin, no matter where life takes us.
Contributed by Anna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.