His studio albums have become increasingly experimental. While they often feature full arrangements including horns, piano, bass, drums, and back-up singers, he has translated these arrangements on stage to just himself and his guitar without slowing the tempo or sacrificing components of the song. Like the folk-country and Delta blues singers that influence him, he uses his feet, the palm of his left hand, and his voice, to simulate drums and bass behind his vocals and guitar chords. Often Sexton will accentuate his songs by running his vocals through a guitar processor (similar to Peter Frampton), as well as a jazz trumpet-like singing style.
Golden Road
Martin Sexton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take your medicine
Find a golden road and stand
Then I saw exactly what they meant.
Find my homeboys on the dusky road
Who couldn't give a should about their life
Heed their words of faded brown
Then bring your song to the river at sunrise
Sing that song 'til the river runs clean
It will happen to you
As its happened to me
Won't you sing that lovely song for me
It's alright mama
Let your children be loud
Watch them run into trouble
So they can figure it out
We spread our seeds far 'cross this land
Hoping they'd fall on good ground.
A vaccination in the sun and rain shine
And take a good long hard look around.
Then bring your song to the river at sunrise
Sing that song 'til the river runs clean
It will happen to you
As its happened to me
Come clean with me
It's alright mama
Let your children be loud
Watch them run into trouble
Cause trouble's their medicine
Mama take your medicine.
The song "Golden Road" by Martin Sexton is about finding the courage to face life's challenges head-on, with the encouragement to take risks and learn from mistakes. The lyrics "take it like a man they said, take your medicine, find a golden road and stand, then I saw exactly what they meant" suggest the idea of resilience amidst adversity. The notion of a golden road is a metaphor for a life worth living, and the lesson is that in order to find it, we must embrace struggle and pain with a sense of purpose and direction. It's about not only enduring the hardships but also learning from them in order to move forward.
The song also touches on the importance of community and the wisdom that can be gained from talking to people who have lived through difficult times. The lines "Find my homeboys on the dusky road, who couldn't give a should about their life, heed their words of faded brown, then live it and sing about their strife" allude to the idea of finding mentors who have lived through similar struggles and can offer guidance and support. The song then goes on to encourage the listener to share their experiences with others, even if it means being vulnerable or singing about painful memories.
In essence, "Golden Road" is a song about taking risks, learning from hardships, seeking guidance from mentors, and sharing our stories with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it like a man they said
Endure the difficulties like a strong person
Take your medicine
Toughen up and face the consequences of your actions
Find a golden road and stand
Discover a better path and stick to it
Then I saw exactly what they meant.
I finally understood their advice
Find my homeboys on the dusky road
Connect with your true friends on a tough journey
Who couldn't give a should about their life
Who don't care about their life's hardships
Heed their words of faded brown
Pay attention to their wisdom from years of experience
Then live it and sing about their strife.
Endure it and express their struggles through music
Let your children be loud
Allow your kids to express themselves freely
Watch them run into trouble
Observe them as they make mistakes and learn from them
So they can figure it out
To help them learn and grow from their experiences
We spread our seeds far 'cross this land
We invest our time and efforts widely
Hoping they'd fall on good ground.
Expecting them to bear fruit and prosper
A vaccination in the sun and rain shine
Being protected from adversities and growing strong
And take a good long hard look around.
Reflecting on your accomplishments and surroundings
Come clean with me
Be honest and truthful with me
Mama take your medicine.
Face and overcome your difficulties, Mom
Then bring your song to the river at sunrise
Take your music to a place of peace and new beginnings
Sing that song 'til the river runs clean
Express yourself and your experiences until you feel pure
It will happen to you
You'll experience the same
As it's happened to me
As I went through the same struggles
Won't you sing that lovely song for me
Please express yourself and share your beauty with me
It's alright mama
Everything's going to be okay, Mom
Cause trouble's their medicine
Difficulties help kids learn and grow
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind