"Invisible War" is my first jar...a collection of some of the first fireflies I ever caught; mostly they were just sprouting their wings in that time, learning all about life, exploring the world, and frolicking about with me in fascinating places like Mongolia, where I lived until I was eight. Really I caught the first specimen in this particular jar when I was fifteen--"Song of the Open Road"--based on the Whitman poem of the same name.
Now, at 20, I'm always chasing around a few fireflies at a time, attempting to master the art of capturing the most elaborate creatures. The idea is that the better the creature, the longer it will stay alive and the brighter its light will shine. We need bright light, see, because it's dark sometimes, very dark.
I have dreams about how the world should be. Indeed we live in a place which was meant to be beautiful; though we oftentimes ruin it ourselves by default. In science there is the idea of entropy--the tendency of things toward disorder. If a vase is sitting on a little table, it's quite probable that it could fall off and shatter into a hundred pieces, if not rather unlikely that all those pieces would jump back together again and shape themselves once again into a beautiful vase--unless of course someone worked very hard to glue it all back together into something new and different.
Unfortunately the implications of this in real life are much more complicated than a single vase shattering to the ground. We see natural disasters that destroy and reshape lives; wars, rumors of wars that create tension and dissension between people groups; poverty, disease, starvation, and everything that lies between.
These are the things which burden my heart, and the things which I've always felt compelled to express through my music. If all I do in life is shine a little light into the dark spaces of the world, my time on earth will certainly not have been wasted.
So I catch firefies.
Song of the Open Road
Merry Ellen Kirk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Advice for the young, memories for the old
Many stories go untold
That's why I'm singing my song of the open road.
On foot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy and free, the world before me,
The path before me can lead me anywhere I want to go.
This is my song of the open road,
Advice for the young, memories for the old
Many stories go untold
That's why I'm singing my song of the open road
This road will end some day,
So you must take the better way
Don't waste another day
This road will end some day,
So you must take the better way
To immortality
This is my song of the open road,
Advice for the young, memories for the old
Many stories go untold
That's why I'm singing my song of the open road
Strong and content I travel the open road
The song "Song of the Open Road" by Merry Ellen Kirk is a beautiful ode to the sense of freedom and adventure that comes with hitting the open road. The lyrics describe the feeling of being unencumbered and able to go anywhere, with a sense of youthful wisdom and insight. The song is ultimately a call to action, urging listeners to make the most of their time on the road and to take the time to explore and experience all the world has to offer.
The first verse speaks to the idea that there are many stories that go untold, and that the best way to experience and understand the world is to take to the open road and explore it for oneself. The second verse continues this idea, describing the feeling of being healthy and free, with the whole world laid out before you. The music itself is light and airy, echoing the sense of unburdened freedom that the lyrics suggest.
The final verse is perhaps the most poignant, urging listeners not to waste a single day on the road and to seek out the better way – a nod to the idea that the journey itself is more important than the destination. Overall, "Song of the Open Road" is a beautiful and inspiring song that captures the essence of what it means to embrace adventure and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my song of the open road,
I'm singing about the freedom and adventure found on the open road.
Advice for the young, memories for the old
This song has wisdom for young people and nostalgia for older people.
Many stories go untold
There are countless experiences waiting for us out there, and many are never shared or spoken about.
That's why I'm singing my song of the open road.
I want to inspire others to embrace the unknown and share their own tales of adventure.
On foot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
I set out on my journey unburdened and carefree, ready for whatever comes my way.
Healthy and free, the world before me,
My body and mind are strong and prepared for whatever adventures lie ahead.
The path before me can lead me anywhere I want to go.
I have the power to choose my own direction and destination, free from the constraints of society and expectation.
This road will end some day,
My journey will eventually come to a close, no matter how long or fulfilling it may be.
So you must take the better way
To make the most out of life, we should strive to make wise and meaningful choices.
Don't waste another day
Every moment is precious and should be lived to the fullest.
To immortality
Through the memories, stories, and impact we leave on the world, we can strive for a kind of immortality.
Strong and content I travel the open road
I move forward with strength, purpose, and joy, knowing that I am on the right path.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Dickey
This is one of your really nice ones, Merry Ellen. Intonations and transitions are really compelling. Five open road stars, indeed. Peripatetic John
Ben
The unplugged version of this song is where I fell in love with ALL of your music :)
anwycj
Love your music and voice..Much Success to you!
DazG
Really nice song :)