Never I
The Chariot Lyrics


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Buried because of progress and profit, face the facts,
you can send the harlot for the job of a pilgrim.
When we cast the script, we found it hard to tell either apart,
enter the modern world. Take rest my love because the thief is
blessed with sounding bells, the body count is all we got and I know
that is hollow still. Midnight is growing deer.
To sing of love or to sing of life is a lonely road but I walk in faith.
Shake up the press, raise the flag, I have seen way too much to let my heart break.
With the father's past, how can distances be great?




This is for the Earth that slept too late.
Bless the thief.

Overall Meaning

The Chariot's song "Never I" dives into the issues surrounding progress and profit, and how they bury important truths and values. The lyrics suggest that in this modern world, it's hard to distinguish between what's truly important and what's superficial. The line "face the facts, you can send the harlot for the job of a pilgrim" suggests that even someone who is seen as immoral (the harlot) may be more suited for the job of a pilgrim, or someone on a spiritual journey, than those who appear more proper or respectable.


The chorus of the song reinforces this idea of confusion and ambiguity: "Take rest my love because the thief is blessed with sounding bells, the body count is all we got and I know that is hollow still." The image of the thief being blessed with sounding bells implies that someone who is seen as a criminal or outsider may actually be more in tune with important truths. The use of "body count" suggests that the world is focused on death and destruction rather than love and life. The singer of the song, however, walks in faith and refuses to let their heart break despite seeing too much of the world's ugliness.


The bridge of the song brings in themes of history and distance: "With the father's past, how can distances be great? This is for the Earth that slept too late." The line "father's past" likely refers to the history of humanity, and how the actions of our ancestors have shaped the world we live in today. Despite this shared history, the world seems to be getting further and further apart (hence "distances"). This section of the song also references the trope of the "sleeping earth," suggesting that there is potential for growth and change if only we wake up to the problems around us.


Line by Line Meaning

Buried because of progress and profit, face the facts
Acknowledging the harms of progress and greed that have led to destruction, it's time to confront the truth.


you can send the harlot for the job of a pilgrim
Even someone who may seem immoral or unrighteous can still be capable of redemption and enlightenment.


When we cast the script, we found it hard to tell either apart, enter the modern world.
In this modern age, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is fake, true and untrue, genuine and artificial.


Take rest my love because the thief is blessed with sounding bells, the body count is all we got and I know that is hollow still.
Despite the ephemeral nature of life, take comfort that death is marked with ceremony and dignity, even though it ultimately means nothing in the grand scope of things.


Midnight is growing deer.
As the night grows darker, the burden of the world also falls heavily upon oneself, symbolized by the presence of deer.


To sing of love or to sing of life is a lonely road but I walk in faith.
Regardless of whether one chooses to sing of love or life, the journey towards understanding that truth is a solitary but worthwhile pursuit that requires unwavering faith.


Shake up the press, raise the flag, I have seen way too much to let my heart break.
Despite the horrors and pain of experiencing the world, one must rise beyond the brokenness and do something to enact change.


With the father's past, how can distances be great?
Despite the generational gaps and historical differences, certain aspects of human experience inevitably connect us all.


This is for the Earth that slept too late.
This is a lament for the inaction and neglect of the world towards the issues that plague it, even when solutions could have been found.


Bless the thief.
May the disruptors and contrarians be given their due, for they may bring about new ideas and paradigm shifts.




Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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