Song of the open road
Waterboys · Other Songs - Waterboys
(Walt Whitman, 1852)
Allons! The road is before us
it is safe, I have tried it
My own feet have tried it well
be not detained
Let the paper remain on the desk unwritten
and the book on the shelf unopened
Let the tools remain in the workshop
let the money remain unearned
Let the school stand
mind not the cry of the teacher
Let the preacher preach in his pulpit
let the lawyer plead in his court
And let the judge expound the law...
...Let them!
Comerado! I give you my hand
I give you my love more precious than money
I give you myself before preaching and law
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Will you give me yourself? Hey!
Will you come travel with me?
Will we stick be each other?
as long as we live?
As long as we LIVE?
Allons! The road is before us
it is safe, I have tried it
My own feet have tried it well
be not detained
Let the paper remain on the desk unwritten
and the book on the shelf unopened
Let the tools remain in the workshop
let the money remain unearned
Let the school stand
mind not the cry of the teacher
Let the preacher preach in his pulpit
let the lawyer plead in his court
And let the judge expound the law...
...Let them!
Comerado! I give you my hand
I give you my love more precious than money
I give you myself before preaching and law
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Will you give me yourself? Hey!
Will you come travel with me?
Will we stick be each other?
as long as we live?
As long as we LIVE?
Song of the Open Road
Waterboys’ 'Song of the Open Road' captures the band’s signature blend of Celtic folk and rock, evoking wanderlust and introspection. Released during their peak creative period, the track showcases Mike Scott’s emotive vocal delivery and the group’s knack for atmospheric storytelling. Though not tied to a specific studio album, it appears in live performances and compilations, reflecting the band’s enduring live energy. The song’s title nods to the American road trip mythos, a theme Waterboys often explored through metaphor and myth. It stands as a testament to their ability to fuse poetic imagery with accessible, anthemic melodies, resonating with fans across decades.