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On a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah Desert
I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving across the Waynesboro County Line
I've got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon, little girl, I'm gonna take charge
Well the dogs on Main Street howl cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
I've done my best to live the right way
I get up in the morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just wanna explode
Explode, and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Pretty soon, I'll be itching for something to start
Well the dogs on Main Street howl, cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
There's a dark cloud rising on the desert floor
I've packed my bags and I'm headed straight through the storm
It's gonna be a twister that'll blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away, the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away, the dreams that break your heart
Blow away, the lies that leave you nothing but lost and broken hearted
Well the dogs on Main Street howl, cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving across the Waynesboro County Line
I've got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon, little girl, I'm gonna take charge
Well the dogs on Main Street howl cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
I've done my best to live the right way
I get up in the morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just wanna explode
Explode, and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Pretty soon, I'll be itching for something to start
Well the dogs on Main Street howl, cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
There's a dark cloud rising on the desert floor
I've packed my bags and I'm headed straight through the storm
It's gonna be a twister that'll blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away, the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away, the dreams that break your heart
Blow away, the lies that leave you nothing but lost and broken hearted
Well the dogs on Main Street howl, cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
Lyrics submitted by Flutter49
Track duration: 04:29
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Now, there are two main images in the song. The dessert and the town. The car represent the characters free will, individuality and possibility to travel between the dessert and the town. The town is where he grew up. It represents the conventions of society and the history that has shaped its discourses. The dessert represent the freedom and independence. It´s a wasteland that makes a boundary against the unknown. The dogs on main street.... the inferiority and dependence of the working man.
It is hard to ignore the biblical references in the song. The people of israel also had to get through the dessert to get to the promised land. The storm also has a biblical feeling to it... the ten plagues, the flood.....
At the end the character has taken his choice. The imagery is incredibly powerful. The storm is going to blow down everything that he finds false and unjust. He is traveling through the storm and in to the desert to search for a connection and belongingness somewhere else.
"I've done my best to live the right way, i get up in the morning and go to work each day"
He's doing all he knows, but life is still hard
Also wondering if the mention of Utah has any meaning to support this, it was founded by Mormons as their "Promised Land", only to be followed out here by the US government and repressed again.
And I believe in a promised land"
Simply brilliant. Many people think that chasing your dreams is childish, but here Springsteen is saying he's aware of that but he's still going to chase anyway.
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart"
This line is one of my favourite Bruce-lines ever. It's so powerful.
Great track!