http://www.nathanielrateliff.com/
Members:
Nathaniel Rateliff
Patrick Meese
Julie Davis
Joseph Pope III
James Han
I AM
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics
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Remember the sparks that caught the wind and torched the field.
We stomped at the grass in the cracks and the crust to no avail.
And I'll get burned if the wind takes more than it should.
And hey, it's a crazy life.
I got a mark, a stain from pitch and it don't wash out.
And you never know what's buried there unless you dig around.
I got plenty of bones been chipped from falling down.
And hey, what a crazy life.
And hey, what a crazy life.
I AM.
The lyrics to Nathaniel Rateliff's song I Am seem to speak about the destructive power of fire. The first two lines suggest that humans have a certain arrogance when it comes to nature, as we are able to build fires so large that they can burn entire woods. The imagery of sparks catching the wind and setting fields ablaze highlights how easily a small spark can create a devastating wildfire. The third line seems to suggest that despite our efforts to control the fire, we often fail, and it continues to spread out of our control. The idea of "getting burned if the wind takes more than it should" is a metaphor for how our actions can have unintended consequences that we are not prepared to deal with. The following lines suggest that the singer has a physical scar, represented by a mark or stain from pitch that cannot be washed out. This could symbolize a deeper emotional scar caused by the fires they have built and the impact they've had on the environment. The line "you never know what's buried there unless you dig around" is a metaphor for how we often hide our wounds and scars, and how they can remain unseen and unaddressed until we choose to confront them. Overall, the lyrics seem to explore our relationship with nature and the consequences of our actions, both on the environment and on ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
We built fires large enough that it burned the woods.
We were reckless and irresponsible with fire, causing destruction to the environment.
Remember the sparks that caught the wind and torched the field.
The small actions we take can lead to disastrous consequences.
We stomped at the grass in the cracks and the crust to no avail.
Our efforts to fix our mistakes were futile, and the damage was already done.
And I'll get burned if the wind takes more than it should.
I will suffer the consequences if I am just as careless with my own life.
And hey, it's a crazy life.
Life is unpredictable and chaotic, and sometimes we can't control the outcome.
I got a mark, a stain from pitch and it don't wash out.
I have made mistakes that cannot be undone, and the effects will always be visible.
And you never know what's buried there unless you dig around.
There may be hidden secrets and struggles that we are unaware of unless we make an effort to understand.
When we get back we can clean it up and show it off.
We have the power to learn from our mistakes and turn them into something positive worth sharing.
I got plenty of bones been chipped from falling down.
I have experienced many failures and made many mistakes while trying to navigate this unpredictable life.
And hey, what a crazy life.
Despite the chaos and unpredictability, life is still beautiful and worth experiencing.
I AM.
Regardless of my mistakes and struggles, I am still here and still alive, and that is something to be grateful for.
Writer(s): Nathaniel David Rateliff Copyright: Chrysalis Music, Ndr LLC, Born In The Flood LLC
Contributed by Elena R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.