Morello has explained, "The Nightwatchman is my political folk alter ego. I've been writing these songs and playing them at open mic nights with friends for some time. This is the first time I've toured with it. When I play open mic nights, it's announced as The Nightwatchman. There will be kids there who are fans of my electric guitar playing, and you see them there scratching their heads. But it's something that I enjoy doing. I look at it more as an extension of my politics. Then again, some of the songs are not explicitly political. It really helped me grow as an artist and songwriter."
The debut album, "One Man Revolution", was released in 2007. The album "The Fabled City" was released on September 30, 2008. The third album, "World Wide Rebel Songs", was released in 2011.
human
The Nightwatchman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes
Clear your heart...
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance,
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye
Wish me well..
You've gotta let me go
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know is your heart still beating
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
You've gotta let me know
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human
Or are we dancer?
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
Are we human
Or are we dancer?
The Nightwatchman's song Human is a poignant reflection on what it truly means to be human. The lyrics speak to the idea of surrendering to something greater than oneself, but doing so with kindness and awareness. The singer questions whether they are truly human or simply dancers, a metaphor for whether they are following a predetermined path or creating their own destiny. The line, "My sign is vital, my hands are cold," speaks to the idea that the singer may be afraid, but they are still moving forward, still searching for answers.
The second verse pays tribute to grace, virtue, good, soul, and romance, suggesting that these virtues are important but ephemeral. The singer acknowledges that they must let go of devotion, which has taught them everything they know. The final lines of the song focus on the uncertainty of the future, asking whether the heart is still beating, and urging the listener to let the singer know what it means to be human.
Line by Line Meaning
I did my best to notice
I tried my hardest to pay attention
When the call came down the line
When I received the message
Up to the platform of surrender
To the place where I give in and submit
I was brought but I was kind
I was taken there, but I behaved with generosity and compassion
And sometimes I get nervous
I feel anxious at times
When I see an open door
When I have the opportunity for something new
Close your eyes
Shut out distractions
Clear your heart
Free yourself of negative emotions
...Cut the cord
Let go of anything holding you back
Are we human?
Is our nature truly human?
Or are we dancer?
Or are we just programmed to follow along with the crowd?
My sign is vital
I am important and significant
My hands are cold
I am feeling detached and emotionless
And I'm on my knees
I am begging for understanding or guidance
Looking for the answer
Searching for the truth
Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Give my honor and admiration to goodness and morality
Send my condolences to good
Express my sorrow for the loss of goodness
Give my regards to soul and romance
Offer my best wishes to passion and emotion
They always did the best they could
They were always trying their hardest
And so long to devotion
An end to dedication or loyalty
You taught me everything I know
You have been my mentor and guide
Wave goodbye
Say farewell
Wish me well
Hope for my success and happiness
...You've gotta let me go
You must allow me to move on
Will your system be alright
Is your way of living and thinking enough to sustain you?
When you dream of home tonight?
When you imagine your ideal life?
There is no message we're receiving
We aren't getting any guidance or direction
Let me know is your heart still beating
Tell me if you are still alive and feeling emotions
You've gotta let me know
You need to inform me
Are we human?
Are we truly human?
Or are we dancer?
Or are we just going along with the dance of life?
Are we human?
Are we really human?
Or are we dancer?
Or are we just following a script written by society?
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rope Kittens
okay, this is honestly fucking amazing. How have I never heard this?? I love the Killers and I love RATM… such an interesting take on the song
grahamlive
Beautiful cover, powerful images.
Adam
Great work Tom :>
OnlyTheTruth
Meaningful song and pics.. good job.
jancsipl
It is very good song and video -thanks from Poland !
Jan
Tom Morello is like Johnny Cash, He can took any song and make it much better. Just like Cash's version of "Hurt".
ratmastitanfan
tom morello is welcome to my family anytime
Equipos Violas y Pedales
good song, i need to take the other song from "live at lime" , the song Joe Hill" (Alfred Hayes cover) please thanx
Dennis Sunder
this is so much better as a slow song
staubfc
@GreenLizard1000 It's in the description, The Killers did it =3