Drums
Laurie Anderson / John Giorno / William S. Burroughs Lyrics
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Drake's train rolling on down the track
I'm gonna ride that train to Carolina
I'm gonna win my baby back
I took a white ship down to the Portobello Bay
I took a white ship down to the Portobello Bay
I said Drake is in his hammock man a thousand miles
I left Port Harcourt I've gone to the Caribbean Sea
I left Port Harcourt down to the Caribbean Sea
I said rum and blood and powder kegs
Have made a monkey out of me
I said Drake has hit the mile train secured his place
in history
Drake's train blowing behind my shack
Drake's train rolling on down the line
I said I don't know what to do about my sweet thing
Back in Carolina
You know I don't know what to do about my sweet thing
Back in Carolina
I said Lord, why did you cry Carolina
Sweet lover wipe your eyes, Carolina
The lyrics of "Drums" by Laurie Anderson, John Giorno, and William S. Burroughs primarily speak about the singer's desire to reunite with a lost love. The song is steeped in rich metaphors, such as Drake's train, which is a symbol of progress and forward motion, as well as the sea, which represents the vastness of life and the unknown.
The first stanza speaks to the singer's determination to do whatever it takes to win back their love, even if it means hopping on Drake's train and heading to Carolina, where their sweetheart is presumably located. The second stanza paints a vivid picture of the singer's travels, with references to Portobello Bay and the Caribbean Sea. The use of "rum and blood and powder kegs" is a nod to the tumultuous nature of life, with the "monkey" representing the singer's own chaotic existence.
Ultimately, the song is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of the ups and downs of love and life. While the singer longs to be reunited with their lost love, they also recognize that life can be uncertain and unpredictable, with twists and turns that are impossible to predict.
Line by Line Meaning
Drake's train blowing behind my shack
The sound of a passing train (Drake's train) is heard behind my small and humble dwelling
Drake's train rolling on down the track
Drake's train is continuing its journey down the railway tracks
I'm gonna ride that train to Carolina
I plan to board that very train and make my way to the state of Carolina
I'm gonna win my baby back
I'm hopeful that my trip on the train to Carolina will enable me to win back my lover
I took a white ship down to the Portobello Bay
I journeyed on a white ship that sailed to the Portobello Bay
I said Drake is in his hammock man a thousand miles away from here
I proclaimed that Drake is relaxing comfortably in his bed on a vessel that's very far away from my current location
I left Port Harcourt I've gone to the Caribbean Sea
I departed from the city of Port Harcourt and traveled to the waters of the Caribbean Sea
I said rum and blood and powder kegs have made a monkey out of me
I lamented that my indulgence in alcohol, violence and explosive devices have resulted in me acting foolishly and without higher thinking skills
I said Drake has hit the mile train secured his place in history
I expressed that Drake has achieved a great feat by completing his journey and has therefore cemented his legacy in history
I said I don't know what to do about my sweet thing Back in Carolina
I admitted that I'm not sure how to rectify the situation with my significant other who is still back in Carolina
You know I don't know what to do about my sweet thing Back in Carolina
I reiterated that I'm completely clueless as to how to rectify the situation with the person I love who is from and still in Carolina
I said Lord, why did you cry Carolina Sweet lover wipe your eyes, Carolina
I asked God why must there be such sorrow and heartbreak in the beautiful state of Carolina and pleaded with my lover to stop crying and feel better
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WILLIAM TOPLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind