Two, three, four

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making his way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot stay
My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display

Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me


Lyrics submitted by steelpulse

The Wrestler Lyrics as written by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Wrestler song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

17 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    My Interpretation

    Fantastic song. I agree it's one of the best songs the Boss has written in years. I never tire of listening to it.

    Actually now want to see the movie after listening to this song.

    It just sounds like a song about a beaten down man. It has some sad lyrics

    "These things that have comforted me, I drive away This place that is my home I cannot pay My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display"

    tpwalleron March 12, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My Opinion

    One of the best songs the Boss has put out in the past decade.

    Played over the end credits of the move The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke.

    Simply stunning.

    steelpulseon November 30, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I can't wait to see him play it at the Oscars, cause you know it's going to be nominated.

    tjwellson December 31, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Amazing new track. It has a very nostalgic quality to it.

    Pelagialexon December 06, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Too bad this song was snubbed by the Academy awards this morning

    Benioffon January 22, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I disagree with the one-armed man punching at nothing being the same as the one legged dog. The one-legged dog gives out the image of being abandoned and dirty and begging for scrapes of food, whereas the one armed-man leaved the image of a fighter. the fact that he's fighting as the breeze makes it an empty fight.

    *"I come and stand at every door": gives out the image of universality and begging. He's the same as everyone, and everyone sees him. But the idea of "leaving with less than he came before" still means what he's losing a little everyday. Dignity maybe?

    This is definitely sad. Will be back for more later. Still remember that the one-trick pony in the field was "so happy and free".

    irouleauon September 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this play that is my home i cannot STAY

    tjwellson December 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?" One trick pony means he's only good at one thing. There's only one thing he can do. "Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?" He is making his way through life just as troubled as a dog with one leg crawling down a street "Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?" Not sure. He has nothing left to live for? Outside the fact that he puts on a show like a scarecrow he is empty inside? "Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?" Same analogy as the one legged dog. Punching at nothing but the breeze means he doesn't know what to do. "I come and stand at every door" He doesn't have a home. He isn't accepted, things don't work out for him.

    FullDevilSocceron January 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I've never been that big on bruce as a lyricist, but this song is great. He captures the essence of the character in movie. FullDevilSoccer is right on with the lyrics. Bruce was straight to the point and deep at the same time. I think the quote from the movie is "I'm an old broken down piece of meat, and I deserve to be all alone".

    justasimpleguyon February 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i believe its tell me FRIEND, not fan

    bto4on March 25, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.