If he has a better song, I haven’t heard it. He must have had help with the lyrics. And while the video does get a tad, um, bohemian at points, the religious imagery is very effective:

This land, today, shall draw its last breath
And take into its ancient depths
This frail reminder of its giant, dreaming self
While I, with human-hindered eyes
Unequal to the sweeping curve of life
Stand on this single print of time

Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face

That time, today, no triumph gains
At this short success of age
This pale reflection of its brave and blundering deed
For I, descend from this vault
Now dreams beyond my earthly fault
Knowledge, sure, from the seed

This land, today, my tears shall taste
And take into its dark embrace
This love who in my beating heart endures
Assured by every sun that burns
The dust to which this flesh shall return
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God

COMMENTS

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One response to “Monday Afternoon Rock N Roll: John Mellencamp’s "Human Wheels"”

1. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman says:

   04/20/2010 at 5:56 pm

   Amazing. I found the couple arguing in their bedroom under a garish crucifix to be especially moving.

   Reply