Tumbleweed
Roo Arcus Lyrics

When he blew into her dustbowl town
When he arrived in her town like a powerful gust of wind that stirred up dust and blew everything around

She swore he'd never get a rope around her heart
She promised herself that she would never let this man control and dominate her emotions

But there was a spark
Despite her resistance, there was a flicker of attraction between them

Now and then there were nights on fire
Sometimes they experienced passionate and intense moments together

But out beyond that old barbed wire the wind
But the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of the wind outside of their confined space symbolizes the external forces that kept them apart

Kept calling him
The man felt a restlessness and a longing to explore and wander, and he couldn't resist the call of the winds

And she cried
The woman felt heartbroken and alone when the man left

Tumbleweed, tumbling, blow cross the desert floor
The image of the tumbleweed, free to roll and travel wherever the wind takes it, represents the man's restless and nomadic spirit

Whatever you're looking for
The woman understands that the man is searching for something bigger than her, and she can't fulfill his desires

You ain't going to find it on some lonesome road
The woman believes that the man won't find what he's looking for by wandering around aimlessly without any connection or attachment

Tumbleweed, I can be everything you need and more
The woman offers herself as a solution to the man's dissatisfaction and restlessness, believing that she can provide him with comfort and love

But I can't love what I can't hold
However, she recognizes that she can't fully love and commit to a man who is always on the move and can't be tied down

The bed was still warm where he'd been sleeping
The physical warmth of the bed emphasizes his recent presence and departure, as well as the emotional emptiness the woman feels

When she heard the screen door squeaking shut
The sound of the door closing emphasizes the finality and separation of the man's leaving

And his old truck
The man's truck symbolizes his transience and freedom, as well as his connection to the natural environment that the woman can't provide

And even though she knows the deal
The woman understands that the man can't fully commit to her and that their situation is precarious and temporary

She can't help the way she feels inside
Despite her rational understanding, she still can't control or suppress her feelings for him

So, she cries
The woman expresses her sadness and pain through tears

A few weeks later he came back around
The man returned after a brief period of absence

Like he'd never been gone
The woman was struck by how easily and comfortably the man slipped back into her life after leaving her in emotional turmoil

She'd had one too many nights dealing with all alone, alone
The woman had reached a breaking point, feeling isolated and lonely without the man's company

When she heard his boots on her front porch
The sound of his boots approaching symbolizes his return and the potential for reconciliation

She met him at the door
The woman eagerly welcomed him back into her life

Well I hope you find it on some lonesome road
The woman recognizes that the man's restlessness and wandering spirit may lead him to find what he's looking for elsewhere

No, I can't love what I can't hold
The woman realizes that she can't fully love and be with a man who can't commit and stay with her