End Of The Line
Roll the Bones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This feeling can't keep track of time
Now that I'm gone, now that I'm gone, now that I'm gone
Can't stay up, can't stay awake
All these regrets flood into place
Now that I'm wrong, now that I'm wrong, now that I'm wrong
It was just how I was feeling, at that time
Waiting for you at the end, of the line
Stimulated by everything I dread
Now that I'm calm, now that I'm calm, now that I'm calm
The colds creepin', creepin' in
I push it back I won't let it in
Now that I'm strong, now that I'm strong, now that I'm strong
It was just how I was feeling, at that time
Waiting for you at the end, of the line
I can't see straight
My visions blurred
My hearts speeding up
And my speech is slurred
My throat is tight
It's hard to breath
Double beat by another time
You've got me to my knees
To my knees
To my knees
To my knees
In "End Of The Line" by Roll the Bones, the lyrics reflect the emotional turmoil and internal struggle of the singer. The song begins with the singer expressing a sense of madness and confusion, feeling disconnected from reality and unable to keep track of time. They feel a sense of loss or absence, having left behind something or someone important. The repetition of "now that I'm gone" suggests a sense of detachment and the inability to stay present or engaged.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into a state of regret and reflection. The singer feels overwhelmed by their past mistakes and bad decisions, with regrets flooding into their consciousness. The line "waiting for you at the end of the line" indicates a longing for some kind of redemption or resolution, perhaps waiting for someone to forgive or accept them despite their faults.
The next verse reveals a shift in the singer's emotional state. They describe how even though opportunities may arise, represented by the green lights, they are unable to take advantage of them. Their fears and anxieties, symbolized by everything they dread, keep them stagnant and prevent them from moving forward. However, there is a change in their demeanor as they become calm and strong, indicating a sense of resilience and determination to overcome their struggles.
The final lines of the song depict a physical and emotional breakdown. The singer is unable to see clearly, both figuratively and literally, as their vision is blurred. Their heart speeds up, and they struggle to speak coherently, suggesting a heightened state of anxiety or panic. The tight throat and difficulty breathing illustrate the suffocating grip of fear and despair. The repetition of "to my knees" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of their desperation and how it has brought them to a point of surrender or surrendering to their vulnerabilities.
Overall, "End Of The Line" captures the complexities of the singer's inner turmoil, encompassing madness, regret, strength, and vulnerability. The song portrays the struggle to reconcile past mistakes, navigate personal demons, and ultimately find redemption or resolution.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a feeling I'm out my mind
I am experiencing a sense of insanity or confusion
This feeling can't keep track of time
This emotion is causing a distorted perception of time
Now that I'm gone, now that I'm gone, now that I'm gone
Since I have departed or left, since I have departed or left, since I have departed or left
Can't stay up, can't stay awake
I am unable to remain alert or conscious
All these regrets flood into place
A wave of remorse overwhelms me
Now that I'm wrong, now that I'm wrong, now that I'm wrong
Since I have made mistakes or errors, since I have made mistakes or errors, since I have made mistakes or errors
It was just how I was feeling, at that time
During that specific moment, those were my emotions
Waiting for you at the end, of the line
Anticipating your arrival when everything concludes or reaches its conclusion
Lights turn green, but I stay red
Even though opportunities arise, I remain stagnant or unchanging
Stimulated by everything I dread
I am provoked or affected by all the things I fear
Now that I'm calm, now that I'm calm, now that I'm calm
Since I have achieved a state of tranquility, since I have achieved a state of tranquility, since I have achieved a state of tranquility
The colds creepin', creepin' in
A sense of frigidity or chilling is gradually approaching
I push it back I won't let it in
I resist or reject it, refusing to allow it to affect me
Now that I'm strong, now that I'm strong, now that I'm strong
Since I have become resilient or powerful, since I have become resilient or powerful, since I have become resilient or powerful
I can't see straight
I am unable to perceive clearly or accurately
My visions blurred
My sight is unclear or unfocused
My hearts speeding up
My heart rate is accelerating
And my speech is slurred
My words are indistinct or unclear
My throat is tight
My throat feels constricted or restricted
It's hard to breathe
Breathing becomes difficult or challenging
Double beat by another time
Rhythm or tempo intensified by an additional occurrence
You've got me to my knees
You have brought me to a position of submission or vulnerability
To my knees
To a state of surrender or weakness
To my knees
To a state of submission or vulnerability
To my knees
To a position of surrender or weakness
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Maxwell Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MysticRhythmsLive
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Well, you can stake that claim
Good work is the key to good fortune
Winners take that praise
Losers seldom take that blame
If they don't take that game
And sometimes the winner takes nothing
We draw our own designs
But fortune has to make that frame
[Chorus 1]
We go out in the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones, roll the bones
[Chorus 2]
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
[Verse 2]
Faith is cold as ice
Why are little ones born only to suffer
For the want of immunity
Or a bowl of rice?
Well, who would hold a price
On the heads of the innocent children
If there's some immortal power
To control the dice?
[Chorus 1]
We come into the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones, roll the bones
[Chorus 2]
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones. roll the bones
Why does it happen?
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3] [Rap Section 1]
Jack, relax
Get busy with the facts
No zodiacs or almanacs
No maniacs in polyester slacks
Just the facts
Gonna kick some gluteus max
It's a parallax, you dig?
You move around
The small gets big
It's a rig
It's action, reaction
Random interaction
So who's afraid
Of a little abstraction?
Can't get no satisfaction
From the facts?
You better run, homeboy
A fact's a fact
From Nome to Rome, boy
[Verse 4] [Rap Section 2]
What's the deal?
Spin the wheel
If the dice are hot
Take a shot
Play your cards, show us what you got
What you're holding
If the cards are cold
Don't go folding
Lady Luck is golden
She favors the bold that's cold
Stop throwing stones
The night has a thousand saxophones
So get out there and rock and
Roll the bones
Get busy
Roll the bones
[Outro]
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones
Oh, yeah!
Because we're here...
paul elliott
Hi Dan
Another great song from the R30 tour; played with much more muscle and a rockier edge than on the album of the same name. Like every song they played as soon as it was one bar in, everyone recognised it and started to sing along.
It was an exultant celebration of a band we’d adored since being captivated by their wonderful music. The small extension to the song gave everyone a little more of this song and was rapturously relieved.
Ale’s guitar work on this is crisp, Geddy is on point and Neil is always exceptional behind the drums. Neil’s lyrics in this probably not his sharpest but I do like the ‘why are we here, because we’re here’ and ‘why does it happen, because it happens ... roll the bones’.
When I first got the album I was a little non-plussed.
There are some great songs on it but the whole wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted. Subsequent listens made me appreciate it more (as is usually the case) familiarity gave way to deeper appreciation. Certainly the little ‘rap’ section was a bit of a departure and there was a more jazzy feel to the record than rock ...
With cuts like this played live it’s got a beefed up sound and many from their album material, really between Hold Your Fire and Vapour Trails I like the live versions more. Stripped down to guitars, bass and drums with Geddy’s triggering of (and playing) keyboards it takes away some of the studio stuff and simply centres on the core song.
They are Rush and I’m not, but that’s it for me - I genuinely can listen to every phase of their career and enjoy it. As you mentioned before, Neil’s lyrics strike a deepening chord as you get older.
Take care and stay safe
Keep rocking 🤘
BD 59
Hi Dan.
I unfortunately don’t have the in-depth writing skills and philosophical knowledge that you, Donna, Paul, Tim and Fred have.
However, I have read the notes and once again learnt more about the background to this track.
It’s a bass-heavy track and that pleases me😊
I loved the rap section and Geddy’s reduction in vocal level.
I actually have followed rap music from the early 80s and frequently listen to NWA, Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Eazy E, Notorious BIG, Tupac, Eminem and the others.
I take no offence about your comments regarding rap music😂🤣 - it’s not for everyone.
The history of the East Coast v the West Coast is interesting
I am not keen at all with the ‘New Skool’ rappers.
Been very busy in my personal life with something major (nothing to concern you and it’s not a health issue) and will be pleased when it is all over.
Still catching up on the huge number of Prince videos that the other channels that I follow have been uploaded.
Just leaves me to wish you and Donna all the best.
Take care, stay safe and keep on rocking and producing these videos - I learn about people from them😊
BD 59
MysticRhythmsLive
Hi Dan.
Thanks for your in-depth message.
You named several excellent rappers. The history of the East Coast v West Coast is interesting and I have always gone back to the members of NWA because they have had so much influence on the rap scene - Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E etc.
Some rappers told a story, some pushed the number of words to the limit. You can’t go wrong with Eminem, 2Pac and Notorious BIG. It’s all about the beats and bars.
I don’t like new rap - too fast,limited and lacks the stories that the early rappers told.
I totally appreciate what you say about Rap taking over Metal programmes. I was not a lover of British Punk Rock. There is that famous photo of Johnny Rotten with his ‘I Hate Pink Floyd’ tee shirt. Music was strange in the UK during that era!
One of my favourite rap tracks is ‘Regulate’ by Warren G and Nate Dogg - it’s not a stereotypical rap track.
Busy period caused by having to clear and sell a house for a mentally-ill relative. Very testing during the Coronavirus lockdown.
Good luck with your uploads.
Wishing you and your family a safe time.
Matt Winstead
@Brian Keightly As the guitarist in a few bands, and my parents house in my native DC area, there was a drummer who left his drum set in my parents basement since his dad had a condo apartment. Every once in awhile I would try to play this things by myself and I'm just not as good as drums as I am on guitar exactly! (Don't know how you guys do it the double bass and the high hats there and stuff all perfectly.. so much easier to do that stuff on guitar for me!).
I could play 'A Long Way Back' from Hell from Danzig but that was as complicated as a I could playfor me and that was barely a cheat version if you will. Luckily with permission I could occasionally play the drums when he was in there. I mean, I just have no business playing 60% at Best of simple songs on someone else's drum kit, haha.
There's another drummer who got a Unit at PS storage well I lived in DC 15 miles away and this was in my native Springfield across the Potomac River, and took the light bulb out and that's how he snuck in playing music at that place. By taking that light bulb out, he was able to plug the half stack into it and we had an electrified unit without outlets anyhow! anyways. Basically, in place of the light bulb was the outlets that the amps got plugged into!
Got drumsticks? You're the most in demand for the back ads of the local paper basically! But the complications of having move around the equipment sometimes.. no biggie... Noise restrictions etc.
Thank God for Vans and trucks.. when you needed to transfer more than just the drums that someone would have one of those sometimes. Otherwise you just kept drums at a practice unit. Sometimes that was my place because when I moved into DC the woman I was living with had a house.
Rototoms to emulate the Neil Peart fils for even us non-drummers! One drum set had the double bass pedal with one bass drum but that did the job! Zilgian cymbles, etc.
We glad to hear you bring back some good memories of your drum playing experiences cuz it reminds me of many good ones of my guitar playing ones
Matt Winstead
@Brian Keightly As the guitarist in a few bands, in my parents house in my native DC area, there was a drummer who left his drum set in my parents basement since his dad had a condo apartment. Every once in awhile I would try to play this things by myself and I'm just not as good as drums as I am on guitar exactly! (Don't know how you guys do it the double bass and the high hats there and stuff all perfectly.. so much easier to do that stuff on guitar for me!).
I could play 'A Long Way Back' from Hell from Danzig but that was as complicated as a I could playfor me and that was barely a cheat version if you will. Luckily with permission I could occasionally play the drums when he was in there. I mean, I just have no business playing 60% at Best of simple songs on someone else's drum kit, haha.
There's another drummer who got a Unit at PS storage well I lived in DC 15 miles away and this was in my native Springfield across the Potomac River, and took the light bulb out and that's how he snuck in playing music at that place. By taking that light bulb out, he was able to plug the half stack into it and we had an electrified unit without outlets anyhow! anyways. Basically, in place of the light bulb was the outlets that the amps got plugged into!
Got drumsticks? You're the most in demand for the back ads of the local paper basically! But the complications of having move around the equipment sometimes.. no biggie... Noise restrictions etc.
Thank God for Vans and trucks.. when you needed to transfer more than just the drums that someone would have one of those sometimes. Otherwise you just kept drums at a practice unit. Sometimes that was my place because when I moved into DC the woman I was living with had a house.
Rototoms to emulate the Neil Peart fils for even us non-drummers! One drum set had the double bass pedal with one bass drum but that did the job! Zilgian cymbles, etc.
We glad to hear you bring back some good memories of your drum playing experiences cuz it reminds me of many good ones of my guitar playing ones
MysticRhythmsLive
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Well, you can stake that claim
Good work is the key to good fortune
Winners take that praise
Losers seldom take that blame
If they don't take that game
And sometimes the winner takes nothing
We draw our own designs
But fortune has to make that frame
[Chorus 1]
We go out in the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones, roll the bones
[Chorus 2]
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
[Verse 2]
Faith is cold as ice
Why are little ones born only to suffer
For the want of immunity
Or a bowl of rice?
Well, who would hold a price
On the heads of the innocent children
If there's some immortal power
To control the dice?
[Chorus 1]
We come into the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones, roll the bones
[Chorus 2]
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones. roll the bones
Why does it happen?
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3] [Rap Section 1]
Jack, relax
Get busy with the facts
No zodiacs or almanacs
No maniacs in polyester slacks
Just the facts
Gonna kick some gluteus max
It's a parallax, you dig?
You move around
The small gets big
It's a rig
It's action, reaction
Random interaction
So who's afraid
Of a little abstraction?
Can't get no satisfaction
From the facts?
You better run, homeboy
A fact's a fact
From Nome to Rome, boy
[Verse 4] [Rap Section 2]
What's the deal?
Spin the wheel
If the dice are hot
Take a shot
Play your cards, show us what you got
What you're holding
If the cards are cold
Don't go folding
Lady Luck is golden
She favors the bold that's cold
Stop throwing stones
The night has a thousand saxophones
So get out there and rock and
Roll the bones
Get busy
Roll the bones
[Outro]
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones, roll the bones
Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones
Oh, yeah!
Because we're here...
MysticRhythmsLive
ROLL THE BONES!
María mery
Sad
Captain MW88
I love how Alex is silently soloing during the rap part!
MysticRhythmsLive
Yeah, that is cool. I don't think I've ever heard anyone else do that.
RedArrow73
NP voice?
Someone else?
Abdurrahman Zulfikry
@RedArrow73 it's Geddy's voice but pitched down for several octave in studio
Tim Renken
@Abdurrahman Zulfikry fun fact: they originally wanted to get an actual real rapper at the time to do it. And i think they should have. If youre gonna add a rap section, just get someone known to collaborate with. They probably didnt want to pay someone like snoop dogg half a million dollars lol
MrMegaFredZeppelin
One of the BEST tunes ever from Rush :-) An Extra "BIG" thumbs up :-) You and Donna stay SAFE!!!!!!!! RUSH ON!!!!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!!
MysticRhythmsLive
Hey Fred! It's great to hear from you bro! Rush were getting back into rocking out with less synths on this album, and it was a good move. It's good to know that you and yours are still hanging in there with this covid situation. I appreciate your BIG thumbs up! 👍We're trying to stay safe, but it gets exhausting after a while. You and Joi do the same, and remember to ROCK ON despite the situation! 🤘