Harms Swift Way
Robert Plant & Band Of Joy Lyrics


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There is a home out of harms swift way
I set myself to find
I swore to my love I would
Bring her there
Then I left my love behind
The desert was long
The mountains high
The road ran steep and winding
The promises so easily made
Unbearable, yet binding

Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna count my time
Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna count my time

Time will go, it never stays
Memory locked in her passing
Try, oh try to cling to her
'Til she becomes everlasting
The world's still blue
My word's still true
I feel I'm turning hollow
She does as she please
If ever she leaves
I'll strangle upon my sorrow

Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time
Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time

The road is past, tomorrow the sky
Between sometimes is blinding
Someday soon when I turn to cloud
I will fly on her wings somehow
Wrapped in the road and filled with above
The ground seems to fade away
Hold to the earth like a newborn child
Pray she returns someday

Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time
Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time

Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time
Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time

Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time




Oh me, oh my
Who's gonna mark my time

Overall Meaning

In Robert Plant's song "Harm's Swift Way," he sings about a journey he took to find a home away from the dangers of the world. He made a promise to his love to bring her there, but had to leave her behind to embark on his journey. He describes the difficulties he faced, including a long desert and high mountains, but felt bound to his promise even when it became unbearable. Despite the challenges, he still believes his love to be everlasting and hopes to one day return to her.


The lyrics convey a sense of longing and regret for having to leave his love behind, as well as the feeling of being lost and hollow without her. The repetition of the phrase "oh me, oh my, who's gonna mark my time" emphasizes the idea of time passing and the uncertainty of what the future holds. He hopes that one day he will be reunited with his love and can let go of his sorrow.


This song reflects on the theme of love and the sacrifices one makes in the pursuit of happiness. It also touches on the idea of time and its effect on memory and relationships. Plant's soulful voice and the slow, melancholic melody add depth to the lyrics, making it a poignant tale of love and loss.


Line by Line Meaning

There is a home out of harms swift way
There exists a place that is not in the dangerous path of harm


I set myself to find
I resolved to discover this place


I swore to my love I would
I made a solemn promise to my beloved


Bring her there
To take her to this place of safety


Then I left my love behind
However, I abandoned my beloved to embark on this mission


The desert was long
The journey was through dry and barren land


The mountains high
Over towering peaks and rugged terrain


The road ran steep and winding
The path was steep and twisted


The promises so easily made
The vows were spoken with ease


Unbearable, yet binding
Despite the difficulty, they were still inescapable


Oh me, oh my
An expression of lament and sorrow


Who's gonna count my time
Who will keep track of my progress and journey?


Time will go, it never stays
Time is constantly moving and never stops or slows down


Memory locked in her passing
Memories are preserved in her departure


Try, oh try to cling to her
I make an effort to hold onto those memories


'Til she becomes everlasting
Until those memories become permanent and eternal


The world's still blue
The world continues to revolve and change


My word's still true
However, my promises remain unchanged


I feel I'm turning hollow
I sense that I am losing my sense of self and my purpose


She does as she please
She acts according to her own will and desires


If ever she leaves
If she were to ever depart


I'll strangle upon my sorrow
I will be consumed by my grief and despair


The road is past, tomorrow the sky
The journey is complete, and the future is unknown


Between sometimes is blinding
The present can be confusing, and events can be overwhelming


Someday soon when I turn to cloud
Eventually, when I pass on or transition, I will become formless, like clouds


I will fly on her wings somehow
I will soar with her or embrace her in spirit


Wrapped in the road and filled with above
Rested in the path and enveloped by something divine


The ground seems to fade away
The solid foundation appears to disappear


Hold to the earth like a newborn child
I must cling to the earth and anchor myself like an infant


Pray she returns someday
Hope that one day she will come back to me


Who's gonna mark my time
The repetition of the question emphasizes the need for an answer or guidance


Who's gonna mark my time
The second repetition reaffirms the need for someone or something to keep track of my progress


Who's gonna mark my time
The final repetition expresses the urgency of this matter




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TOWNES VAN ZANDT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ChristianBove

Lovely song !

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