One of the Dominoes
Mark Heard Lyrics


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Heaven help a timid child in a trendy tide
He really doesn't know
That his heart's being taken for a ride
Doing what the world lays down
As a steadfast rule
And hanging when the world says to change
Like a steadfast fool
chorus:
Heaven heaven help me
I'm one of the dominoes
Chain reaction coming
Blow by blow

Heaven help a heedless man in a time of need
He can't feel the knife In his back
Or see the blood that he bleeds
Walking 'round blind
To the harm that's being done
He thinks it's alright
'Cause it's happening to everyone
(chorus)

Heaven help a seeker of truth
In an age of lies
Gonna make himself believe
That the truth is whatever he buys
Gonna buy what the world says to buy
In a monotone




Gonna cry when the whole world cries
And the truth is known

Overall Meaning

The song "One of the Dominoes" by Mark Heard is a social commentary on the conforming nature of society and the dangers of blindly following the trends and rules of the world without questioning them. Through the use of metaphors, the song describes people who are being taken for a ride, who are walking blindly through their lives, and who are seeking truth in a world full of lies. The lyrics explore the idea that people are like dominoes falling one by one according to the rules set by society, and that it takes an act of divine intervention to break the chain reaction and bring about change.


The first verse talks about a timid child caught in a trendy tide, meaning someone who is easily influenced by the currents of society and doesn't know that their heart is being taken for a ride. They follow the rules laid down by the world, even when they go against their own values, and remain steadfast even when they should change. The chorus then calls out for help, recognizing that the singer is one of the dominoes, and that a chain reaction is coming blow by blow.


The second verse extends the metaphor to a heedless man who can't feel the knife in his back or see the blood that he bleeds, further emphasizing the danger of blindly following the status quo. The verse ends with the line "he thinks it's alright 'cause it's happening to everyone," highlighting the fact that people often think that what's happening to them is normal because everyone else is going through it too. The chorus then repeats.


The final verse shifts focus to a seeker of truth in an age of lies, someone who is trying to find the truth but is constantly bombarded by falsehoods. The line "gonna make himself believe that the truth is whatever he buys" speaks to the idea that truth is often commodified and sold to people, and that they are willing to buy it without questioning its validity. The verse ends by referencing the fact that in the end, everyone is going to cry when the truth is known.


Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the dangers of conformity and the need for individual thought and action to break the chain reaction of societal norms. It calls for a change in perspective and a willingness to question the status quo.


Line by Line Meaning

Heaven help a timid child in a trendy tide
A shy kid in a fashionable society needs divine intervention


He really doesn't know
The kid is unaware of what's happening to him


That his heart's being taken for a ride
His emotions are being abused


Doing what the world lays down as a steadfast rule
The child follows society's rules blindly without thinking


And hanging when the world says to change like a steadfast fool
He obstinately resists changing his ways, even when it would benefit him


Heaven heaven help me I'm one of the dominoes
The singer realizes he's been following the crowd like a sheep


Chain reaction coming blow by blow
The consequences of his actions will soon catch up to him, causing a domino effect


Heaven help a heedless man in a time of need
A man, who's ignorant and in dire straits, requires divine assistance


He can't feel the knife in his back or see the blood that he bleeds
He's oblivious to the harm being done to him, both physically and metaphorically


Walking 'round blind to the harm that's being done
The man goes about his day without realizing the damage being inflicted on him


He thinks it's alright 'cause it's happening to everyone
He wrongly assumes that if it's happening to others, it must be okay


Heaven help a seeker of truth in an age of lies
An individual who seeks authenticity in a dishonest world requires divine guidance


Gonna make himself believe that the truth is whatever he buys
The individual determines the validity of something based on whether it's popular or not


Gonna buy what the world says to buy in a monotone
They'll purchase what's trending without regard for their own preferences or personality


Gonna cry when the whole world cries and the truth is known
They'll be upset when confronted with the truth, just like everyone else




Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

ben j

This to me is one song that you can hear the Georgia in Mark's voice. Aside from that, it speaks to me about how the world can just wash us away, especially when we believe in it.

alanna mac

One Of the Dominoes

Heaven help a timid child in a trendy tide
He really doesn't know
That his heart's being taken for a ride
Doing what the world lays down
As a steadfast rule
And changing when the world says to change
Like a steadfast fool

Heaven heaven help me
I'm one of the dominoes
Chain reaction coming
Blow by blow

Heaven help a heedless man in a time of need
He can't feel the knife In his back
Or see the blood that he bleeds
Walking 'round blind
To the harm that's being done
He thinks it's alright
'Cause it's happening to everyone

Heaven heaven help me
I'm one of the dominoes
Chain reaction coming
Blow by blow

Heaven help a seeker of truth
In an age of lies
Gonna make himself believe
That the truth is whatever he buys
Gonna buy what the world says to buy
In a monotone
Gonna cry when the whole world cries
And the truth is known

Heaven heaven help us now
I'm one of the dominoes
Chain reaction coming
Blow by blow (repeat)

Written by Mark Heard
© 1981 Bug and Bear Music (ASCAP)

coolnegative

I get a lot of crap for this, but one of my favorite Mark Heard projects was ideola. A lot of Heard "purists" seem to dismiss it as a kind of pop album. I think it's just being pretentious because it garnered some minor secular airplay and a video on MTV.

coolnegative

@ben j agreed 100%....im just kinda kidding about "taking crap" I just know that it tends to be one of the least favorite of his offerings from people who spent years listening to his "Jesus Music" releases. I catch myself doing the same thing with music. I find something I love....it starts getting around, gaining popularity......as soon as it hits commercial success (at least in the past).....I drop it like a hot potato.😆. I've gotten a lot better about that....(thank God for grace and refining)......"How to Grow Up Big and Strong" was actually covered by Olivia Newton John... I think it even charted in the O Z. I learned that thanx to Frank Axl Rassenberg (i know I spelled that wrong) Facebook group. There's actually 2 groups, but they're about Christians covering and/or referencing the mainstream and visa versa.

coolnegative

@Miles Elder the guy was amazing.....and ideola was just another brilliant brilliant expression of his music. The reason I say I get crap for liking it is that all the OG Jesus Music hipsters seem (not to not like it) to like it least since it is a bit different than what they expect from him. It's all just personal preference. No right or wrong, but I appreciate you commenting. And you do have a valid point. Blessings my friend!

ben j

From that album, I like How to Grow up Big and Strong, and I am and Emotional Man. No need to take any crap from liking anything that Mark did, his music is true to who he is no matter the song.

Miles Elder

The guy was just trying to make a living. I can't blame him for that.

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