Pacing the Cage

I have *long* loved the music & writing of Jimmy Buffett. Some great Friday-afternoon-heading-toward-the-beach music. Some *superb* front-lawn-of-the-fraternity-house music. But also, some songs that just capture a slice of one's soul. Deeply moving and very profound. (aside: if all you know of JB's songs is "Cheeseburger in Paradise" & such, you're really missing out...).

Examples of that latter genre of Jimmy B's music that grab my heart would be songs like "A Pirate Looks at 40" or even more, "He Went to Paris" or one of my favorites, "The Captain & the Kid". (tear jerker alert: he wrote that shortly after his much-loved grandpa passed away...*great* tune! Google the lyrics...and grab a hankie.).

And then there are those lyrics that are, well, poignant & sad. Such as "Pacing the Cage." I find this one deeply moving for different reasons. I know people like this. As Lisa said, these are the words of a man who has done it all and is absolutely empty inside.

So, take a look @ these lyrics. They are awesome, in the true sense of the word: to be struck with awe. I'd say "enjoy," but I really hope you don't actually.

Selah.
bb

Pacing the Cage - Jimmy Buffett
Sunset is an angel weeping
Holding out a bloody sword
No matter how I squint I cannot
Make out what it's pointing toward
Sometimes you feel like you've lived too long
The days drip slowly on the page
And you catch yourself
Pacing the cage

I've proved who I am so many times,
The magnetic strip's worn thin
And each time I was someone else
And everyone was taken in.
Powers chatter in high places
Stir up eddies in the dust of rage
Set me to pacing the cage.

I never knew what you all wanted
So I gave you everything.
All that I could pillage
All the spells that I could sing
It's as if the thing were written
In the constitution of the age
Sooner or later you'll wind up
Pacing the cage

Sometimes the best map will not guide you
You can't see what's round the bend.
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend.
Today these eyes scan bleached-out land,
For the coming of the outbound stage
Pacing the cage...