Drifter
Rambler Lyrics
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but i caught him with my wife
no i cannot justify it
somethings in this life aint right
cuz everywhere i go i gotta lay low
thats just the way the old story goes
walking down the line on the wrong side of the tracks
theres nothing u can do and noone u can call
ur a drifter, ur never coming back, never coming back
yea i kno ive got some problems
and my tempers pretty bad
and ive lost everything i own
ruined everything i had
cuz everywhere i go i gotta lay low
thats just the way the old story goes
walking down the line on the wrong side of the tracks
when u break the law ur backs against the wall
theres nothing u can do and noone u can call
ur a drifter, ur never coming back, never coming back
cuz everywhere i go i gotta lay low
thats just the way the old story goes
walking down the line on the wrong side of the tracks
when u break the law ur backs against the wall
theres nothing u can do and noone u can call
The lyrics to Rambler's song "Drifter" tell a story of a man who is constantly on the run due to his troubled past. The first verse reveals that he accidentally killed a man in Austin after catching him with his wife. Despite the gravity of this act, the man cannot justify it, but rather recognizes that some things in life are just not right. This puts him on the wrong side of the law, constantly making him have to lay low wherever he goes.
The chorus reinforces this idea of a man on the run, referring to him as a "drifter." The criminal lifestyle he has chosen has limited his options and resources, leaving him with no one to call and no way to get help. He appears to have a temper problem and acknowledges that he has lost everything, having ruined what he had through his own actions.
Overall, "Drifter" depicts the harsh reality of a seemingly immoral and lost man, who appears to have no chance at redemption or turning his life around. It is a story of a life gone off the rails, and the potentially deadly consequences that follow.
Line by Line Meaning
didnt mean to kill that man in austin
I didn't intend to murder that man in Austin.
but i caught him with my wife
However, I saw him with my wife.
no i cannot justify it
I can't find a way to defend my actions.
somethings in this life aint right
Life doesn't always make sense.
cuz everywhere i go i gotta lay low
I have to be cautious and conceal my identity wherever I travel.
thats just the way the old story goes
This type of situation is a common occurrence.
walking down the line on the wrong side of the tracks
I'm living on the outskirts of society and have to be careful.
when u break the law ur backs against the wall
If you violate the law, you're in a difficult situation.
theres nothing u can do and noone u can call
There's no way out and no one available to assist you.
ur a drifter, ur never coming back, never coming back
You're a wandering nomad, you'll never return home.
yea i kno ive got some problems
I acknowledge that I have personal issues.
and my tempers pretty bad
I can be easily irritated.
and ive lost everything i own
I've been stripped of all my possessions.
ruined everything i had
I've destroyed everything that used to matter to me.
Contributed by Parker Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.