So you probably have to know a little bit of the backstory
that goes with this. After I got back from the mission I did a semester at BYU
in the business school, and got really bored – I was really frustrated with how
lame life can be in Provo. I needed some adventure, so I bought a one-way
ticket to China (no, I don’t speak Chinese), and wasn’t sure if/when I would
come back.
I couchsurfed and bummed around in Shanghai for a while
until I found an apartment, then a few months traveling to random cities
on trains while reading Les Miserables, Shakespeare and Emerson. So this is a
song about some introspection I did as I was riding a train through the Chinese
countryside.
These people I have never met
And I will never meet
Philosophers interpret life
I wander aimlessly
Is this the thing they like to call
In the language I don’t speak
Is this the train that leads
To being free?
You can’t get any farther
When you’re half a world away
The only thing that’s lacking
Is the reason for to stay
I’m lost but there’s no going back
To the corporate cavalcade
Not sure to where
I’m moving on today
Speed will never matter
When you’re racing ‘gainst the moon
Trade bullet train for sleeper car
Apartment for commune
A slight right and you pull ahead
And the running ends real soon
I guess that I’ll head home now
Though I’m not sure what that means
But all aboard
We’ll see where this one leads
What? You flew to china and just traveled around? That is the greatest. I am proud of you for going on such an adventure..I bet you learned so much. and...I like your song.
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome story. I think the fact that your song comes from a cool personal experience like that makes it better.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, I don't think I'd have the guts to do that!
ReplyDeleteI love that story. I love world travel but I have yet to buy a one-way ticket with no definite plans of returning. I guess that's next on my bucket list. :) Well done, you are awesome.
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