Take Em Away Old Crow Medicine Show Lyrics
Old Crow Medicine Show is an American string band known for its old-time and folk music. The band was formed in the late 1990s in New York City, but its members hail from various parts of the United States. One of the band's most popular songs is "Take Em Away," which was released on their self-titled album in 2004. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the lyrics of "Take Em Away" and explore the meaning behind them.
Verse 1
The first verse of "Take Em Away" sets the scene for the rest of the song:
Well, the wagon is a-rollin', rollin' along
The wagon is a-rollin', rollin' along
I ain't got no whiskey, I ain't got no wine
But I'll keep on a-rollin' till the day that I die
The narrator is on a wagon, which is rolling along. He doesn't have any whiskey or wine, but he's determined to keep going until the end of his days. This verse suggests that the narrator is a traveler or a drifter, someone who doesn't have a permanent home or a steady source of income.
Chorus
The chorus of "Take Em Away" is catchy and upbeat:
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
The narrator is asking the Lord to take away his chains, both literal and metaphorical. He feels trapped and weighed down, both physically and spiritually. The repetition of "take 'em away" emphasizes the narrator's desperation and longing for freedom.
Verse 2
The second verse of "Take Em Away" provides more detail about the narrator's situation:
Well, I met her in the autumn, a little too late
It was par for the course, things had changed by then
Winter was a-comin', the nights were getting cold
Oh, how I wished I'd never let her go
The narrator met someone in the autumn, but it was too late for them to start a relationship. By the time winter came, the narrator regretted letting this person go. This verse suggests that the narrator has experienced loss and missed opportunities in his life.
Chorus
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing the narrator's desire for freedom:
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
Verse 3
The third verse of "Take Em Away" shifts the focus to the narrator's relationship with his father:
Well, my father was a farmer, but his soul was city-bound
He said, "Life is a gamble," so he pawned off the farm
Then he bought himself a diner, I never heard him complain
He said, "Son, if you want something in life, you gotta go out and get it yourself"
The narrator's father was a farmer, but he sold the farm and bought a diner instead. The narrator's father believed in taking risks and pursuing one's dreams. This verse suggests that the narrator comes from a family of hard workers and risk-takers.
Chorus
The chorus is repeated once more, with even more passion than before:
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
Conclusion
"Take Em Away" is a powerful song that speaks to the human desire for freedom and independence. The lyrics paint a picture of a traveler or a drifter who is searching for a way to break free from his chains. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the narrator's desperation and longing for a better life. If you haven't heard this song before, give it a listen and let the music speak for itself!