"The mysterious troubadours that form Young Rebel Set preach full-blooded tales of tough love, hard luck and the triumph of romance against the odds.Every spit and sawdust jig is spun from the blood, sweat, tears, toil and glory of an extraordinary group and woven into a rousing patchwork of gritty urban folk."
NME
"Perfect antidote to cold, careerist indie"
The Fly
"huge, life-affirming songs that nod to Springsteen'n'Dylan"
The Guardian
"raw and honest and true... Watch out. Young Rebel Set are coming"
NME
"Imagine The Boss had he been 'Born In The Yorkshire Dales rather than the USA"
Borders
Young Rebel Set Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song "Borders" by Young Rebel Set tells the story of a man named Little Joe who has committed a crime and is now on the run. He crossed the border and the sea, trying to escape the consequences of his actions. Little Joe killed a man in cold blood but he didn't mean to. He reflects on what he has done and wishes he could go back and change things. Little Joe is haunted by his past and is struggling to move on. He knows he can't go back to his previous life until he is forgiven for what he has done.
The lyrics of the song are powerful and emotive, conveying the struggles of a man who is trying to run away from his past. The hard rain that is coming Joe's way is a metaphor for the consequences of his actions, and how he will face them every day until he is forgiven. The repetitive routine of his life is shown through the line "same old routine repeating day after day." The feeling of regret and longing for home can be felt through Little Joe's plea to the Lord to give him something to hold onto.
Overall, "Borders" is a poignant song highlighting the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and seeking forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Down to the border and over the sea, little Joe runs for his need to be free
Little Joe is fleeing across borders, seeking freedom.
see he took a man down in cold, cold blood.
He killed someone without provocation.
He hit him harder than he probably should.
He used excessive force.
Says to himself, 'man look what I have done.
He is realizing the gravity of his actions.
I didn't pull no trigger and there was never no gun, I didn't mean to kill the guy he was just standing there, he shouldn't bring a battle if he's unprepared'.
He is justifying his act of violence, claiming that the victim was at fault.
Cos he's been down for far too long he's surely paid for what he's done and now he tries to carry on.
He has been punished enough and is trying to move forward.
And it's a hard old rain that's coming Joe's way; same old routine repeating day after day.
He is facing a difficult future filled with routine and monotony.
See he can't go back and he can never move on until he's been forgiven for what he's done.
He is stuck in his past until he has been absolved of his crime.
So have a little more faith, darling you know there ain't no shame or disgrace.
Someone is encouraging him to have faith and not feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Come on now have just a little more faith, have a little faith.
The repetition of the previous line to emphasize its importance.
Little Joe says 'Lord I wanna go home.
Joe is homesick and wants to return home.
I know longer wish to be roaming alone.
He is tired of being alone and wandering aimlessly.
See I miss my girl far too much, the scent of a woman and her tender touch'.
He is longing for the companionship of his loved one.
Lord give me something to hold onto like hope on a rope or a picture of you.
He is asking for something to have faith in or to remind him of home.
Cos I've been judge and executioner too, I need to find my way back to you.
He has been the cause of someone's death and now wants to make amends.
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.