By the time he reached eleventh grade, he decided school was not for him and left. He spent a little over a year living dangerously and upsetting all those close to him until he met a girl who would then change his life. "It was a really tumultuous romantic relationship that lasted on and off for a few years," he says. "Then it just sort of fizzled out. I started writing songs the first time I figured out how to pinpoint that feeling of loss. I guess I was just waiting to make music until I had something to say. From then on, I realized I could write songs that really meant something to me."
The result was One By One, which Francis recorded at a friend's recording studio and released in August 2007 on Aeronaut Records. It didn't sell much, but it earned positive reviews from critics who compared Francis to a young Townes Van Zandt. The attention led to a record deal with Atlantic Records, which is releasing Before Nightfall.
Written over the summer of 2008 and recorded in March 2009, Before Nightfall is a snapshot of where Francis is now. "When people listen to the album, I want them to feel happy," he says. "I feel uplifted when I hear these songs; they don't bring me down. I hope people will be able to relate to them and feel as though whatever is going on in their lives is going to be okay."
!! There is other Robert Francis, author of cd: The Sitting Bull Suite
Mescaline
Robert Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You try so hard, to find someone.
I used to be a hero.
Blood on my saddle.
Fight in every battle.
I used to be alone.
You shoot up.
It's funny how nobody asks.
'Cause all your teachers love you.
Everybody loves you.
Everybody loves you the same way that I do.
What a wonderful world we live in.
You're a love disaster, your heart beats faster, when it's with mine.
You're a likely story, morning glory on the vine.
There are holy ghosts pushing past the tide.
They let me know, every time you cry.
You're burning in some back seat, burning in some room.
Burning is the one thing that you should know how to do.
But I can't put out a fire when it looks like you.
You didn't do the same when I asked you to.
What a wonderful world we live in.
You're a love disaster, your heart beats faster, when it's with mine.
You're a likely story, morning glory on the vine.
"Mescaline in the sun" in Robert Francis's song is referring to the hallucinogenic drug Mescaline, which is derived from the peyote cactus found in Mexico and used for spiritual and medicinal purposes. The drug can cause vivid hallucinations, which may be what the artist is alluding to in this line. The song's theme is about love and heartbreak, with the singer reminiscing about his life and relationships while also criticizing his ex-partner's drug usage. He describes himself as a "hero" with "blood on my saddle" who used to be "alone" but is now disillusioned with love. Then, he focuses on his ex-partner who he describes as a "love disaster," with his heart beating faster when it's with the singer's.
The second verse is about the ex-partner's drug addiction and how his teachers and everyone seems to overlook it. They only see him as the same charismatic person "the same way that I do," which is both ironic and sad. The chorus repeats the theme of love and heartbreak, with the singer describing his ex-partner as a "likely story" and a "morning glory on the vine." The last verse talks about holy ghosts that push past the tide, which could represent a fleeting moment of redemption or salvation, but also the inevitability of death, which is also suggested in the line "you're burning in some back seat, burning in some room."
Line by Line Meaning
Mescaline in the sun.
Tripping on mescaline in the sun.
You try so hard, to find someone.
You desperately search for someone to love.
I used to be a hero.
I used to feel heroic in my actions and decisions.
Blood on my saddle.
I have been in violent altercations.
Fight in every battle.
I have a history of fighting.
I used to be alone.
I used to feel lonely.
You shoot up.
You inject drugs.
Then you go to class.
Then you attend school.
It's funny how nobody asks.
Nobody questions your drug use.
'Cause all your teachers love you.
Your teachers have a positive view of you.
Everybody loves you.
Everyone seems to like you.
Everybody loves you the same way that I do.
Everyone loves you in the same misguided way I do.
What a wonderful world we live in.
It's ironic how everything seems good despite our problems.
You're a love disaster, your heart beats faster, when it's with mine.
You are emotionally unstable and our relationship fuels this.
You're a likely story, morning glory on the vine.
You are unreliable, and I see through your facade.
There are holy ghosts pushing past the tide.
There are spiritual forces at play in your life.
They let me know, every time you cry.
Your emotional distress is apparent to everyone.
You're burning in some back seat, burning in some room.
You are self-destructive, engaging in dangerous activities.
Burning is the one thing that you should know how to do.
You have become too accustomed to destructive behaviors.
But I can't put out a fire when it looks like you.
I cannot save you from yourself if you refuse to help yourself.
You didn't do the same when I asked you to.
You did not support me in my time of need.
What a wonderful world we live in.
It's still ironic how everything seems good despite our problems.
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fredt la bosh
Mescaline
in the sun
you try so hard to find someone
i used to be a hero
blood on my saddle
fighting every battle
i used to be alone
you shoot up
then you go to class
its funny how nobody asks
cause all your teachers love you
everybody loves you
everybody loves you
the same way that i do
what a wonderful world that we live in
your a love disaster
your heart beats faster
when its with mine
your a likely story
morning glory
on the vine
there are holy ghosts
pushing past the tide
they let me know every time you cry
your burning in some backseat
burning in some room
burning is the one thing that you should know how to do
but i cant put out a fire when it looks like you
you didn't do the same when i asked you to.
what a wonderful world that we live in
your a love disaster
your heart beats faster
when its with mine
your a likely story
morning glory
on the vine
mescaline.
Mazzy Bee
I can listen to this on repeat everyday, indeed I do, love Robert , he s talented and humble ... not chasing celebrity just a musician doing his thing 🙏♥️♥️🌟🌟
Grippidee Gravidee World
By far one of the best songs written in the last 10 years by ANYONE. Robert, you stir my soul and you ROCK. Keep it up my brother...
burquetman
This is by far the best recorded version of mescaline!!
Dave The Rave roving the Rock
Just such a great song and a wonderful rendition. I truly love this song
Truly Natural
how wonderful is this! so in love with this song, but most of all in love with his voice.
mazted higgins
I love love love adore this song ... awesome Robert!
GDON official
Quelle voix incroyable et quelle chanson formidable!
Marijn D
Holy shit. All those Paste records are perfect! Amazing artist. Saw him live in Amsterdam last year. Definitely gonna see him again!
abi delaney
Listen to this with your eyes closed. shivers!
Anne-Sophie Ezanno
Waaaaw ... his voice !