Medicine
Various Artists Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus:]
Take ‘em away, take ‘em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken ‘cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me

Some birds' feathers are too bright to be caged
I know I'm not that colorful but a bird just the same
Open up your gate now, let me put down my load
So I can feel at ease and go back to my home

[Chorus]

Sun beatin' down, my legs can't seem to stand
There's a boss man at a turnrow with a rifle in his hand
I've got nine child, nothin' in the pan
My wife she died hungry while I was plowin' land

[Chorus]

Can't see when I go to work, can't see when I get off
How do you expect a man not to get lost
Every year I just keep getting deeper in debt
If there's a happy day, Lord, I haven't seen one yet

[Chorus]

Land that I love is the land that I'm workin'
But it's hard to love it all the time when your back is a-hurtin'
Gettin' too old now to push this here plow
Please let me lay down so I can look at the clouds

[Chorus]

Land that I know is where two rivers collide
The Brazos the Navaso and the big blue sky
Flood plains, freight trains, watermelon vines
Of any place on God's green earth, this is where I choose to die





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Take Away" talk about a person who feels trapped in their life and longs for freedom. The singer asks the Lord to take away the chains that bind them and make them feel like they can't live their life to the fullest. The opening lines of the chorus, "Take ‘em away, take ‘em away, Lord / Take away these chains from me," set the tone for the song's message of liberation.


As the song progresses, the lyrics paint a picture of struggle and hardship. The references to a "boss man at a turnrow with a rifle in his hand" suggest a history of oppression and possibly even violence. The singer talks about being in debt and feeling lost, with no happy days in sight. There is also a reference to the singer having lost their wife, which adds a layer of sadness to the story.


Overall, the lyrics of "Take Away" are deeply personal and emotive. They speak to the desire for freedom that is common to all humans, and the struggle that so many face in trying to achieve it.


Line by Line Meaning

Take ‘em away, take ‘em away, Lord
Asking the Lord to take away the pain and struggle.


Take away these chains from me
A plea for liberation from the hardships of life.


My heart is broken ‘cause my spirit's not free
Feeling trapped and limited, unable to live life to the fullest.


Lord take away these chains from me
Reiterating the plea for release from the struggle.


Some birds' feathers are too bright to be caged
Some individuals are too unique and special to be constrained.


I know I'm not that colorful but a bird just the same
Acknowledging the singer is not as extraordinary as some, but still a unique individual.


Open up your gate now, let me put down my load
Asking for a chance to rest and be free from burdens.


So I can feel at ease and go back to my home
Wanting to be able to return to a familiar and comforting place.


Sun beatin' down, my legs can't seem to stand
Struggling to continue in the harsh conditions and feeling weakened by the sun's heat.


There's a boss man at a turnrow with a rifle in his hand
Feeling threatened and powerless due to the authority of others.


I've got nine child, nothin' in the pan
Struggling to provide for a large family despite hard work.


My wife she died hungry while I was plowin' land
Grieving the loss of a loved one in the midst of struggle.


Can't see when I go to work, can't see when I get off
Feeling blinded by the struggle and unable to see a way out.


How do you expect a man not to get lost
Questioning how it is possible to maintain a sense of direction and purpose in the midst of struggle.


Every year I just keep getting deeper in debt
Feeling weighed down and overwhelmed by financial strain.


If there's a happy day, Lord, I haven't seen one yet
Expressing a deep sense of sadness and hopelessness.


Land that I love is the land that I'm workin'
Finding purpose and meaning in the connection to the land.


But it's hard to love it all the time when your back is a-hurtin'
Struggling to find joy and love for the land when physical pain is present.


Gettin' too old now to push this here plow
Feeling the effects of aging and physical strain from years of work.


Please let me lay down so I can look at the clouds
Desiring rest and the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature.


Land that I know is where two rivers collide
Celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of their home landscape.


The Brazos the Navaso and the big blue sky
Naming specific elements of the landscape that hold significance and beauty.


Flood plains, freight trains, watermelon vines
Naming more specific features of the landscape and associated memories.


Of any place on God's green earth, this is where I choose to die
Declaring a deep connection and commitment to their home despite hardship and struggle.


Lord take away these chains from me
Repeating the plea for freedom and release.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions