See America Right
The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice Lyrics
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When the radiator burst
I was three sheets to the wind
A civilian saw me first
And then there was the cop
And then the children standing on the corner
Your love is like a cyclone in a swamp
And the weather's getting warmer
I was getting out of jail
Heading to the Greyhound
You said you'd hop on one yourself
And meet me on the way down
I was shaking way too hard to think
Dead on my feet about to drop
Went and got the case of vodka from a car
And walked the two miles to the bus stop
Got on the bus half drunk again
The driver glared at me
Met up with you in Inglis
Thumbed a ride to Cedar Key
If we never make it back to California
I want you to know I love you
But my love is like a dark cloud full of rain
That's always right there up above you
Hey!
The lyrics of "See America Right" by The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice tell a story of a troubled journey. The singer is driving from Tampa when the radiator of their car bursts and they get into trouble with the police. Throughout the song, the character is struggling with personal problems and dependency on alcohol. He mentions meeting up with a woman who he loves, but who he feels his troubles loom over like a "dark cloud."
The lyrics take the listener on a journey filled with highs and lows that shows the human experience. The singer is struggling with the realities of life, but they are also resilient and fighting to keep going. They encounter law enforcement, "civilian[s]," and "children," illustrating the different pieces of society and how they interact with each other. The song shows the harsh realities of life mixed with hopeful optimism, and the lyrics highlight the importance of love when things get tough.
Line by Line Meaning
I was driving up from Tampa
I was driving up from Tampa.
When the radiator burst
Suddenly, my radiator burst while I was driving.
I was three sheets to the wind
I was quite drunk, almost unconscious.
A civilian saw me first
A passerby saw me before anyone else.
And then there was the cop
Shortly after, a police officer showed up to the scene.
And then the children standing on the corner
Locals, including children, started to gather around to see what was happening.
Your love is like a cyclone in a swamp
Your love is intense and unpredictable like a cyclone in a swamp.
And the weather's getting warmer
The situation is only getting worse.
I was getting out of jail
I was released from jail.
Heading to the Greyhound
I was walking towards the Greyhound bus station.
You said you'd hop on one yourself
You told me that you would also take a Greyhound bus to meet me.
And meet me on the way down
You planned to meet me halfway through my journey.
I was shaking way too hard to think
I was trembling uncontrollably and unable to think clearly.
Dead on my feet about to drop
I was extremely exhausted and on the verge of collapsing.
Went and got the case of vodka from a car
I went and retrieved a case of vodka from a nearby car.
And walked the two miles to the bus stop
I then walked the two miles to the bus stop, carrying the case of vodka with me.
Got on the bus half drunk again
I boarded the bus while still intoxicated.
The driver glared at me
The bus driver looked at me disapprovingly for being drunk.
Met up with you in Inglis
I met with you in Inglis as planned.
Thumbed a ride to Cedar Key
We hitchhiked a ride to Cedar Key.
If we never make it back to California
In the event that we don't return to California.
I want you to know I love you
I want you to understand that I love you.
But my love is like a dark cloud full of rain
However, my love is often unpredictable and overwhelming, like a dark cloud that bursts with rain.
That's always right there up above you
My love is never far away from you and can always be felt.
Hey!
An interjection marking a break in the song.
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jacob Nathan
your video is way better than mine