Running to You
Tami Neilson Delaney Davidson Lyrics
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How alone, how cold, how slow
Ticket on a one-track railroad to a solo seat below
If you need a place to lay your head, and gentle company
I′ll save a seat beside me
You can come running to me, girl
You can come running to me
And I can shoot the wolf at night, watch you as you grow
At home fires are a-burning, our babies on your knee
Whispered kisses on your mouth
You can come running to me, boy
You can come running to me
Come running to you, come running to you
When it's all through, I′ll come running to you
Come running to you, come running to you
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
I spent most of my whole life with a bucket and a spade
One to carry things I love, one to bury the things I hate
You won′t have to dig that hole, an empty heart is free
Clear to make a brand new start
You can come running to me, girl
You can come running to me
Come running to you, come running to you
When it′s all through, I'll come running to you
Come running to you, come running to you
When it′s all through, I'll come running to you
The lyrics of Tami Neilson and Delaney Davidson's "Running to You" speaks of the vulnerability and loneliness that one can experience in life. The song begins with the singer describing the feeling of being empty, alone, and cold. The metaphor of a ticket on a one-track railroad to a solo seat below implies a perceived lack of control over one's life choices leading to feelings of isolation. The chorus offers a solution to that isolation in the form of companionship. The singer offers a place to lay one's head and gentle company, ensuring that there's a seat beside her for anyone who needs it. The lines "You can come running to me, girl / You can come running to me" implies a willingness to be there for anyone in need of support or comfort.
The second verse echoes the same sentiments as the first, but this time the singer appears to be addressing a specific individual whom she calls "boy." She assures him that she can build a shelter to protect him from the cold and shoot the wolf at night, implying that she will do whatever it takes to keep him safe. The lyrics "At home fires are a-burning, our babies on your knee / Whispered kisses on your mouth" is a nod towards a comfortable home life, which the singer is offering to share with the person she's speaking to. The chorus repeats the message of the singer being someone to run to when things are tough and the promise of reciprocating the same.
The third verse is the only one with gender-neutral pronouns, signaling that the singer is addressing a general audience. Here, she reflects on the years spent living with a bucket and a spade, the former being used to carry things she loves and the latter to bury the things she hates. This metaphor conveys the idea of moving forward from difficult past experiences. When she says "You won't have to dig that hole, an empty heart is free / Clear to make a brand new start," it implies that her presence would make it easier for someone to heal and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
I never knew how empty
I had no idea how hollow and incomplete I was feeling
How alone, how cold, how slow
The extent of my loneliness had left me feeling frozen and unmoving
Ticket on a one-track railroad to a solo seat below
I felt like I was trapped on a one-way journey to being alone for the rest of my life
If you need a place to lay your head, and gentle company
If you're looking for a place to rest and someone to be kind to you
I'll save a seat beside me
I'll make room for you next to me
You can come running to me, girl
You can come to me for help and support whenever you need it
You can come running to me
You can come to me for help and support whenever you need it
I can build a shelter to keep you from the cold
I can make a safe place for you to stay and protect you from danger
And I can shoot the wolf at night, watch you as you grow
I'll protect you from danger, and watch over you as you become stronger
At home fires are a-burning, our babies on your knee
We'll have a happy and comfortable home life, with our children sitting on your lap
Whispered kisses on your mouth
We'll share tender moments, whispering sweet nothings to each other
You can come running to me, boy
You can come to me for help and support whenever you need it
Come running to you, come running to you
I'll come to you when you need me, no matter what
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
When everything else is finished and done, I'll still be there for you
I spent most of my whole life with a bucket and a spade
I've spent most of my time carrying things that I care about, as well as burying things I want to forget
One to carry things I love, one to bury the things I hate
One bucket is to carry the good things I cherish, and the other is to bury the bad things I want to leave behind
You won't have to dig that hole, an empty heart is free
You don't need to bury any pain inside of you, because it's better to leave it behind and move on
Clear to make a brand new start
When you're free from past pain, you can begin a fresh chapter in your life
You can come running to me, girl
You can count on me to be there for you when you need me
You can come running to me
You can count on me to be there for you when you need me
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
When everything else is finished and done, I'll still be there for you
Come running to you, come running to you
I'll come running to you when you need me, no matter what
Writer(s): Tami Neilson
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danielbalev991
And the lyrics
[Verse 1: Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson]
I never knew how empty
How alone, how cold, how slow
Ticket on a one-track railroad to a solo seat below
If you need a place to lay your head, and gentle company
I'll save a seat beside me
You can come running to me, girl
You can come running to me
[Verse 2: Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson]
I can build a shelter to keep you from the cold
And I can shoot the wolf at night, watch you as you grow
At home fires are a-burning, our babies on your knee
Whispered kisses on your mouth
You can come running to me, boy
You can come running to me
[Chorus: Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson]
Come running to you, come running to you
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
Come running to you, come running to you
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
[Verse: Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson]
I spent most of my whole life with a bucket and a spade
One to carry things I love, one to bury the things I hate
You won't have to dig that hole, an empty heart is free
Clear to make a brand new start
You can come running to me, girl
You can come running to me
[Chorus: Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson]
Come running to you, come running to you
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
Come running to you, come running to you
When it's all through, I'll come running to you
https://genius.com/Tami-neilson-running-to-you-lyrics
@mekitameki
I never knew how empty
How alone, how cold, how slow
Ticket on a one-track railroad to a solo seat below
If you need a place to lay your head, and gentle company
I’ll save a seat beside me
You can come running to me, girl
You can come running to me
I can build a shelter to keep you from the cold
And I can shoot the wolf at night, watch you as you grow
At home fires are a-burning, our babies on your knee
Whispered kisses on your mouth
You can come running to me, boy
You can come running to me
Come running to you, come running to you
When it’s all through, I’ll come running to you
Come running to you, come running to you
When it’s all through, I’ll come running to you
I spent most of my whole life with a bucket and a spade
One to carry things I love, one to bury the things I hate
You won’t have to dig that hole, an empty heart is free
Clear to make a brand new start
You can come running to me, girl
You can come running to me
Come running to you, come running to you
When it’s all through, I’ll come running to you
Come running to you, come running to you
When it’s all through, I’ll come running to you
@marie4peace
Brokenwood mysteries is everything that American TV isn't... original and truly a showcase for TRUE TALENT!
@christinerapoza885
I am another Brokenwood fan from USA and wow. Tami and Delaney's song is hard to get to stop replaying in my head. Blessed be.
@bizzytexas7468
Im back here years later & this song is still beautiful ❤️ i still love it!
@EmmaLouise105
I "found" Tami through a brilliant series called "Brokenwood mysteries", and just fell in love with her voice! Fantastic singer, fantastic songs!
LOVE YOU TAMI!
@candydandy2694
same! <3
@johnwood551
Heard their music on Brokenwood. Reminds me of the Old Country I grew up with in Tennessee 50 years ago.I think she has the heart of Patsy Cline and a WONDERFUL voice. This is REAL country not like that bubblegum pop that Nashville puts out now.
@deanmortensen1160
This song is so haunting and compelling. What is it about this song? I keep listening to it play in my head. I suppose when the right singers, the right music and the right lyrics come together, it's magic! But, there's something more to this. "Running to You" touches my heart. Thanks, Tami!
@michaelwhittaker5432
look up Nancy Sinatra & lee Hazelwood then you will be addicted ! keep safe sir greetings from the UK.
@rickcampbell4934
Yep, Thanks to Brokenwood Mysteries I first heard this great talent! Go Tami!
@thebigenderqueen1586
I love broken wood and the music ♥️