The Silent Comedy began casually in San Diego, California, United States in… Read Full Bio ↴The Silent Comedy began casually in San Diego, California, United States in 2005 as a side project of the post-punk group, Dehra Dun. The band started as a recording project for songwriting brothers Joshua Zimmerman (bass and vocals) and Jeremiah Zimmerman (keyboards, vocals and guitar) together with their cousin Chad Lee (drums) and long time friend Justin Buchanan (mandolin and banjo). The band quickly gained steam as word of their energetic live show spread.

Eventually Dehra Dun went by the wayside, and the brothers focused their efforts fully on The Silent Comedy. Since that time they have grown to playing consistently sold-out hometown shows, touring incessantly and performing with the likes of Flogging Molly, The Black Keys, Common, MGMT, Cold War Kids, and more.

Tightrope
The Silent Comedy Lyrics

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I was born on a tightrope, bright with hope and oblivious
I could not keep my eyes closed, now I know we are hideous
Grinning from ear to ear...

Take me away from here like you said
And I will be grateful with what I have left
Dance in the aisle for me and hold out your hand
And take me away my dear

I grew up in a lifeboat tied to shore by the winter wind
I was made to be set afloat not star of the show ever glittering
In center ring, not a clue...

Take me away from here like you said
And I will be grateful with what I have left
Dance in the aisle for me and hold out your hand
And take me away my dear

I am not at the end though, I wont go at the peak or near
I will die in a foxhole, arm to shoulder with atheist
Praying just, lord not here...

Take me away from here like you said
And I will be grateful with what I have left

Dance in the aisle for me and hold out your hand
And take me away my dear

Overall Meaning

The Silent Comedy's "Tightrope" is a hauntingly beautiful song that speaks of the struggles of life and finding a way to make it through. The first verse speaks of being born on a tightrope, representing the fragile balance of life and the uncertainty of what the future holds. The singer, who was once full of hope, has become aware of the harsh realities of life, leading to a sense of despair and even ugliness.

The chorus begins with the singer pleading to be taken away from their current situation, suggesting a desire for escape or a fresh start. Despite the struggles they've faced, the singer still feels gratitude for what they have left. The idea of dancing in the aisle is a metaphor for finding joy and release, even in the midst of difficulty.

The second verse expands on the theme of feeling lost and adrift in life, using the image of being tied to a lifeboat that is never allowed to venture out to sea. This image suggests a feeling of being trapped and unable to pursue one's dreams or true purpose. The singer expresses a sense of resignation, acknowledging that they were never meant to be a star or a center of attention.

The final verse takes a dark turn, talking about the possibility of dying in a foxhole, arm in arm with an atheist, and praying for a way out. This image suggests a sense of desperation and a need for spiritual comfort in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Overall, "Tightrope" is a song about the human struggle and the need to find hope and meaning in life, even in the face of difficulty and despair.

Line by Line Meaning

I was born on a tightrope, bright with hope and oblivious
I came into this world feeling optimistic and unaware of the challenges life would bring.

I could not keep my eyes closed, now I know we are hideous
I couldn't ignore the ugly truth of the world once I opened my eyes to it.

Grinning from ear to ear...
Despite the hardships, I still try to maintain a positive outlook on life.

Take me away from here like you said
Please help me escape my current situation as promised.

And I will be grateful with what I have left
I will appreciate anything I have left after experiencing difficult times.

Dance in the aisle for me and hold out your hand
Provide me with some form of happiness and offer me support.

And take me away my dear
I need someone to lift me out of my struggles and give me hope for the future.

I grew up in a lifeboat tied to shore by the winter wind
I had limited freedom and was constantly held back by the harsh realities of life.

I was made to be set afloat not star of the show ever glittering
I was never meant to shine or stand out, but rather to simply make it through life.

In center ring, not a clue...
I have no idea what's going on or how to make sense of it all.

I am not at the end though, I wont go at the peak or near
I still have a long way to go in life and I know I won't reach my peak anytime soon.

I will die in a foxhole, arm to shoulder with atheist
I may not have much control over how or when I die, but I know I won't be alone in my final moments.

Praying just, lord not here...
I hope that when my time comes, it won't be in a terrible place or situation.

Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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