Staring at a maple leaf
Leaning on the mother tree
I said to myself, "we all lost touch"
Your favorite fruit is chocolate covered cherries
And seedless watermelon, oh
Nothing from the ground is good enough
Body rise
Look what's over me

Oh, chariot your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh, chariot I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your strength

Remember seeking moon's rebirth
Rains made mirrors of the earth
The sun was just yellow energy
It is a living promise land
Even over fields of sand
Seasons fill my mind and
Cover me
Bringing back
More than a memory

Oh, chariot your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh, chariot I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your strength

You'll be my vacation away from this place
You know what I want
Holding that cup
It's pouring over the sides
Make me wanna spread my arms and fly

Oh, chariot your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh, chariot I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your strength

Give me your strength (chariot)
Give me your strength (chariot)
Give me your strength (chariot)
Give me your strength (chariot)
Give me your strength (give it to me)

Chariot
Give me your strength (give it to me)
Chariot
Give me your strength (give it to me)
Chariot
Give me your strength, oh chariot


Lyrics submitted by tumblweed15

Chariot Lyrics as written by Gavin Degraw

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Chariot song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

67 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment

    ok im gonna be a nerd. in ancient greece (and later, roman) myths there was a god (apollo for roman, i think helios for greek) who drove a chariot across the sky and that's why the sun moves. that's the first thing i thought of when i heard this song, and reading the lyrics it makes even more sense, because it talks about "golden waves" which could only come from the sun

    music2meon March 31, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think something got lost in translation, Dutchy. =P

    The only woman present in this song is Mother Earth.

    I think Chariot is about a place in the 'country' Gavin visited. This place of purity brings Gavin closer to the deity.

    The lyrics quoted above speak to it. There, he's thinking about the place he's from, and what's wrong with the people who live in it.

    Anyway, that's my take. I'd love to know what the word "Chariot" really means (from Gavin himself).

    Muckon February 04, 2006   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    Wow. I can't believe nobody gets it yet. It's a metaphor within a metaphor. The song uses lines from the bible because he's using religion to talk about his piece of Heaven. I am Christian, and I did love the christian comments, too. Awesome thinking, because I wasn't sure if I was the only one with those ideas.

    To put it short and sweet, the world he lived in was too complex. People wanted too much, and were trying to drag him into that mentality (remember the earlier comment, where it stated people were trying to offer him so much stuff, to convince him to join them?). This is sort of like his salvation. He wants the chariot to take him to "Heaven." The country(?) and nature. He's tired of the complex city. He wants simplicity. And, the reference from the Bible about the cup, I'm sure is a symbol of greed. Drinking from Jesus' cup will free him from greed, and once again take him home, as the Chariot could do. It will guide him out of this place he's in, and it will give him the strength to move past all the trouble. Or, perhaps he is just asking for God's strength? Sounds like Paganism, too. But, I doubt it.

    (Also, check out the Biggie and Tupac reference in the video! During the rap scene. They both, similarly, meet their ends due to wanting too much, and were both Christian. The video also shows a preview of this fake place he visited, and how he wanted to leave it. Everyone was so confused, and shocked, at the end. Also, seems to be a reference to that old Jim Carey movie.)

    God, now I sound like a nerd. If you want a break down of the lyrics, and a full explanation, please reply.

    SpookyLotuson October 21, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love this song. I want to marry Gavin <3. He's so talented.

    kristen86on May 16, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I Love this song so much! It reminds me of when I met my Idol Kelly Ripa, on Live With Regis and Kelly. (Gavin sang this song on the show that day!) I play this song over and over and over again!

    Kelly_Ripa_Fan4evaon October 03, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song to me, means something religious. It shows stuff from the bible. In the second to last line of the regular song he says "Holding the cup thats pouring over the sides". This is a reference to what JESUS says about himself. He calls himself the bread and the CUP. Anyone who eats from him and drinks from him will never be hungry or thirsty. My hat goes out to Gavin for putting meanings like that into his songs. WITH LOVE FROM JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!

    RobbieSHS06on July 14, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i know that im about six years too late but i just can't help it. although i do agree in general with the previous interpretations, i do find myself a bit disappointed with this chariot debate. it seems to me that a song about wanting simplicity would in fact also be a simple song, but sadly alot of people have over complicated it. some say its a generalized meaning to encompass all deity's, some say its "poetic licence", some say its god because he is christian, some say its the sun, some say its sex, some say its a girl. but remember this? "your chariot awaits you dear". would't a "chariot" be able to bring him from nyc to where he wants to be with just a bit of gas in the tank? don't you think its possible that he's just a boy singing about his car? simple song...simple explanation. i love my chariot too!!!

    awaitinfateon November 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It about how nothing natural is good enough for anyone. Life is so complicated and he wants to go away into his fantasy world...

    diegorockusaon September 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    When I'm having one of those days, like yesterday for me, I need to feel hopeful and I really feel the lyrics to this song. Sometimes we all need a vacation from this place and find our own pieces of heaven in faith

    raysrealityon November 05, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    he is talented, alright.... unique voice

    clairebabyon December 07, 2004   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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.