The Garden Of Gethsemane
Tom Morello The Nightwatchman Lyrics
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I climbed through the window, I sat in the back
I gathered my thoughts with my head in my hands
My next of kin, my list of demands
I slipped from shadow to shadow
I saw things I should not see
The moon rose high over the garden
I know who I'm for and who I'm against
I pulled the shades tight, I built me a fence
I dug a tunnel, tunnel deep and wide
I sit at the bottom and wait for the night
I slipped from shadow to shadow
I saw things I should not see
The moon rose high over the garden
The garden of Gethsemane
Morning has come, clean clothes on the line
There'll be no tomorrow, I rise and I shine
If you swallow the coin from the wishing well
Your dreams will come true in heaven or hell
I slipped from shadow to shadow
I saw things I should not see
The moon rose high over the garden
The garden of Gethsemane
Take my hand, down we go
Take my hand, love, down we go
Take my hand, down we go
Take my hand, love, down we go
In "The Garden of Gethsemane", Tom Morello's lyrics paint a picture of a man on the run, contemplating where his loyalties lie and seeking refuge in the shadows. The first verse describes the singer's physical surroundings - an abandoned old Chevy that he finds some solace in. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts and make sense of his situation, possibly referring to a conflict or difficult decision he must make. In the second verse, he reveals that he is hiding, going unnoticed through the shadows, observing things he shouldn't have seen. The moon rising over the garden of Gethsemane seems to be a metaphor for the weight of the situation.
The third verse hints at paranoia, as the singer barricades himself in and digs a tunnel to wait for the night. He seems to be unsure of who his allies are and who his adversaries are, leaving him to make difficult choices. In the final verse, the singer seems resigned to his fate, stating that there will be no tomorrow. He offers a warning to those who blindly put their faith in a wish, emphasizing that one's decisions will have consequences in both life and the afterlife.
Overall, the song focuses on themes of deception, self-reflection, and the weight of one's choices. The garden of Gethsemane, referenced in the chorus, invites a comparison to the biblical story where Jesus grapples with his destiny and surrenders to it, making necessary sacrifices for the greater good.
Line by Line Meaning
On the side of the dirt road, an old Chevy wreck
In a desolate place, I found a wrecked, abandoned car.
I climbed through the window, I sat in the back
I broke into the car, sat in the backseat, and began to think.
I gathered my thoughts with my head in my hands
I deeply pondered my current situation and planned my next steps.
My next of kin, my list of demands
I thought about my family and closest loved ones and what I needed to do to protect them.
I slipped from shadow to shadow
I moved quietly and cautiously, trying to remain unseen.
I saw things I should not see
I witnessed things that were better left unseen or unknown.
The moon rose high over the garden
The moon illuminated the garden, making everything visible.
The garden of Gethsemane
This place reminds me of the biblical Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his betrayal and crucifixion.
I know who I'm for and who I'm against
I'm sure of which side I'm on and which side I'm fighting against.
I pulled the shades tight, I built me a fence
I shut myself from the outside world and built a metaphorical wall around myself.
I dug a tunnel, tunnel deep and wide
I created an escape plan, a way out from the place I was hiding in.
I sit at the bottom and wait for the night
I patiently wait for the right moment to execute my plan and take action.
Morning has come, clean clothes on the line
The new day has arrived, and I'm ready to face whatever it brings. I have cleaned up and put fresh clothes on.
There'll be no tomorrow, I rise and I shine
I live every moment to the fullest and make sure I make the most of my life because the future is uncertain.
If you swallow the coin from the wishing well
If you believe and follow your dreams no matter what. If you take a leap of faith, anything can happen.
Your dreams will come true in heaven or hell
Whatever the outcome of following your dreams, you will achieve them no matter what.
Take my hand, down we go
Join me on this journey. We will go down together.
Take my hand, love, down we go
Join me on this journey. We will face whatever comes together with love and support.
Take my hand, down we go
Join me on this journey. No matter what happens, we will stick together.
Take my hand, love, down we go
Join me on this journey. Our love and support for each other will make us stronger and help us get through whatever trials lie ahead.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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