Chained To The Wheel
The Black Sorrows Lyrics
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Too many mouths to feed, well ain't life tough
Call this survival, don't pray for a sign
Know what you really want, you can't get it back
Down on the waterfront, now watch out Jack
Nights on the main line and rust on the rail
I see them swindle this town
I've seen them tumble it down
I feel the thunder chained to the wheel
Know what you mean to me, goes deeper than that
Can't fight your destiny, know where it's at
Don't look for lightning or pray for a sign
I see them swindle this town
I've seen them tumble it down
I heard the legend, I watched the skies
I feel the power, the flame in your eyes
I've seen red rivers, fire and steel
I feel the thunder chained to the wheel
Wheel Chained to the
Know what you really need, you can't get enough
Too many mouths to feed, ain't life tough
Call this survival, don't pray for a sign
I see them swindle this town
I've seen them tumble it down
I've seen red rivers, fire and steel
I feel the thunder chained to the wheel
I heard the legend, I watched the skies
I feel the power, the flame in your eyes
I've seen red rivers, fire and steel
I feel the thunder chained to the wheel
The Black Sorrows’s song “Chained to the Wheel” is a commentary on the harsh realities of life, where people are caught in a cycle of survival and grinding away at the wheel of life. The lyrics invite us to reflect on the difficult choices we have to make to survive and the cost that comes with those choices. The opening lines reveal the sense of dissatisfaction and yearning for more that many of us experience, but at the same time acknowledge the struggles of making ends meet with too many mouths to feed - an unavoidable reality for most people.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that there are those who profit from the struggles of others, with the line “I see them swindle this town/I’ve seen them tumble it down” suggesting corruption and deceit within a community or society. The lines, “I’ve seen red rivers, fire, and steel,” conjure up images of strife and the devastation brought about by the misuse of power. This is contrasted by the idea of being “chained to the wheel,” as though some people are trapped in this system of oppression and have no means to escape or change their circumstances.
The song goes on to suggest that there is something greater at play, beyond just survival - a force or destiny that drives us forward. The lines “I feel the power, the flame in your eyes/I’ve seen red rivers, fire and steel,” suggest that despite the difficulties, there is still passion and strength to be found in the human spirit. The song ends with a sense of resigned acceptance, as though it is better to be “chained to the wheel” than to fight against an unchangeable system.
Line by Line Meaning
Know what you really need, but you can't get enough
You may know what you need, but it’s hard to fulfill your needs.
Too many mouths to feed, well ain't life tough
With a lot of responsibilities, life can be challenging.
Call this survival, don't pray for a sign
It's just surviving, there's no divine intervention.
Know what you really want, you can't get it back
You might know what you desire, but you cannot attain your previous possessions.
Down on the waterfront, now watch out Jack
In the waterfront area, you must be cautious.
Nights on the main line and rust on the rail
There are nights spent on the main line, and the rust on the rail signifies age and time passing.
I see them swindle this town
There are people who are tricking and cheating the town.
I've seen them tumble it down
The artist has witnessed the downfall of the town due to these deceivers.
I've seen red rivers, fire and steel
The artist has seen the devastating effects of war and destruction.
I feel the thunder chained to the wheel
The artist feels trapped and unable to escape the cyclical pattern of life.
Know what you mean to me, goes deeper than that
Your significance goes beyond surface level.
Can't fight your destiny, know where it's at
It's impossible to fight your fate, and you should accept it.
Don't look for lightning or pray for a sign
There will be no divine intervention, and you shouldn't rely on it.
I heard the legend, I watched the skies
The singer has heard stories and paid attention to the signs given by nature.
I feel the power, the flame in your eyes
The singer senses a strong emotional connection and attraction.
Wheel Chained to the
The chorus repeats the title of the song.
Contributed by Charlie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.