Driver
R.E.M. (REM) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fields divided one-by-one
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged
Bells are ringing through the town again
The children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
But it's still a ways away
But we're still a ways away
But it's still a ways away
Way to shield the hated heat
Way to put myself to sleep
Way to shield the hated heat
Way to put myself, my children to sleep
He piloted this song in a plane like that one
She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again
The fields of wheat is lookin' thin
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
But it's still a ways away
But we're still a ways away
But it's still a ways away
The lyrics to R.E.M.'s "Driver Eight" depict the journey of a train driver who has been working for too long and is urged to take a break. The first verse paints a picture of a slowly developed civilization, marked by the building of walls and division of fields. The train conductor urges the driver to take a break because they have been on this shift for too long and still have a long way to go. The second verse gives a description of a farm and a treehouse on its outskirts, while also referencing safety measures taken to prevent airplanes from getting snagged by power lines. The bells are ringing again in the town, and the children can only hear sky-blue ringing bells.
As the train continues on its journey, the chorus repeats the train conductor's urging to take a break even though their destination is still a long way off. In the following verses, there are references to the selling of religious faith by the Go Tell Crusade and the thinning wheat fields. The song ends by repeating the chorus and emphasizing the idea that although progress is being made, the destination is still far away.
Line by Line Meaning
The walls are built up stone by stone
Things are slowly changing and new barriers are being built one by one.
The fields divided one-by-one
The land is being separated into individual plots, rather than being communal.
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
The conductor is telling the train driver to take a break because they have been working for too long.
We can reach our destination but we're still a ways away
Although progress is being made, there is still a long way to go.
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm
The artist noticed a treehouse on the edge of the farmland.
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged
Floaters are added to the power lines to prevent airplanes from getting caught in them.
Bells are ringing through the town again
The children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
The town is bustling with activity and the children can hear the bells ringing in the sky.
But it's still a ways away
But we're still a ways away
But it's still a ways away
Despite the progress made, there is still a long way to go before reaching the goal.
Way to shield the hated heat
Way to put myself to sleep
Way to shield the hated heat
Way to put myself, my children to sleep
The artist has found ways to cope with the harshness of life by shielding themselves from the heat and finding comfort in sleep.
He piloted this song in a plane like that one
She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again
The fields of wheat is lookin' thin
The lyrics jump around to different scenes and characters, including a singer, a faith seller, and a train conductor, all while observing the thinning wheat fields.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonymadrid4699
Em Am G G/F# Em
The walls are built up, stone by stone
Am G G/F#
fields divided one by one
Em Am
and the train conductor says
G G/F#
Take a break, Driver 8
Em Am
Driver 8, take a break
G G/F#
we've been on this shift too long
D C D
And the train conductor says
C D
Take a break, Driver 8
C D
Driver 8, take a break
C Em
we can reach our destination
Em/F# Em
(but it’s still a ways away)
Em/F# Em
(but it’s still a ways away)
•
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm
power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged
bells are ringing through the town again
children look up, all they hear is sky-blue bells ringing
And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8,
Driver 8, take a break
we can reach our destination
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
Am C
Way to seal the hated heat
G D
a way to put myself to sleep
Am C
way to seal the hated heat
G D
a way to put myself, my children sleep
•
Piloted this song in a plane like that one
she is selling faith on the Go Tell Crusade
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again
fields of wheat are stricken thin
And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8,
Driver 8, take a break
we've been on this shift too long
And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8,
Driver 8 take a break
we can reach our destination
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
❧
@coolhotlantan
When this video was filmed in my hometown of Clifton Forge Virginia, I was a young Locomotive Engineer for the C&O/Chessie System. I was running the Locomotive in 2 of the scenes in the video. You can't see me but I was there! It was so cool that they chose our town to shoot this video! Love REM!
@Clifton_Clowers597
Chessie system
@timdavidson4456
Cool that used to be a huge titan of a company and business. Originally Louisville & Nashville and now CSX Teansportaion premier Eastern sea board Rail Road. The reviews on Conductor occupation online are so terrible and discouragement.i have immense legacy with this company. Wish it were more like the original Louisville Nashville.
@stuffedanimalmagickshop
So cool!
@brettscott8288
I grew up in Williamsburg, Va! Spent many years in Richmond 🔥
@i.a.1475
Nice SD50 8558 you conducted sir!
@williammonteith6653
Living in the projects with a drug addict mother no dad around these guys got me through some really rough times. I'm 45 now and still rock out to them.
@1qwasz12
God Bless You & keep you close to His heart.
@Dahlia4777
Glad you made it through the rough times.......GodisLifeisGood
@donny763222
Hang in there 7632227173 don......
Would love to jam with you much respect