Broken Bones by Kaleo Lyrics Meaning – The Soulful Crossroads of Desperation and Liberation
Lyrics
The devil’s going to set me free
Oh, the devil’s going to make me a free man
The devil’s going to set me free
I’ve been down, deep Texas Mississippi state
Hoping things might go my way
For every hard earned dollar I make
There stands a white man just to take it away
Some might say I talk loud, see if I care
Unlike them, don’t walk away from my fear
I’ve busted bones, broken stones, looked the devil in the eye
I hope he’s going to break these chains, oh yeah
The devil’s going to make me a free man
The devil’s going to set me free
The devil’s going to make me a free man
The devil’s going to set me free
(Yeah, set me free)
Another hard day, no water, no rest
I saw my chance, so I got him at last
I took his six shooter, put two in his chest
He’ll never say a word no more
Oh, he’ll never say a word no more
The devil got him good for sure
Ain’t got no place to call a home
Only chains and broken bones
Ain’t got no place to call a home
So come on Lord, won’t you take me now?
Ain’t got no place to call a home
Only chains and broken bones
Ain’t got no place to call a home
So come on Lord, what you waiting for?
Oh, the devil’s going to make me a free man
The devil’s going to set me free
The devil’s going to make me a free man
The devil’s going to set me free
Ain’t got no place to call a home
(The devil’s going to make me a free man)
Only chains and broken bones
(The devil’s going to set me free)
Ain’t got no place to call a home
(The devil’s going to make me a free man)
So come on Lord, won’t you take me now?
(The devil’s going to set me free)
Ain’t got no place to call a home
(The devil’s going to make me a free man)
Only chains and broken bones
(The devil’s going to set me free)
Ain’t got no place to call a home
(The devil’s going to make me a free man)
So come on Lord, what you waiting for?
(The devil’s going to set me free)
Kaleo’s ‘Broken Bones’ is not just an aural journey through the deep south, but a soul-stirring narrative of the fight for freedom encapsulated in a blues-rock odyssey. With gritty vocals and a haunting melody, the Icelandic band manages to blend the history of African American spirituals and the blues with the modern rock landscape.
The song serves as a raw testament to the struggles of the past and the yearning for liberation. But, as with any great piece of art, the beauty of ‘Broken Bones’ lies not just in its surface-level appeal but also in its layered undertones and the potent meanings hidden within its lyrics.
A Riveting Tale Woven in Blues
At first glance, ‘Broken Bones’ is a tribute to the traditional blues narrative, born in the American South. It speaks of the hard-knocked life, the constant battle against oppression, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Kaleo deftly uses blues’ characteristic storytelling to paint vivid scenes of suffering and resilience.
The craftsmanship in lyricism transports us to a time where the landscape was rife with injustice and hardship. Each guitar strum and drumbeat echoes the protagonist’s struggle, reinforcing the song’s emotional weight and its homage to the genre’s origins.
The Paradox of Seeking Liberation
The chorus, ‘The devil’s going to make me a free man, the devil’s going to set me free,’ is an intriguing paradox, one rich in symbolism. The song boldly plays with the idea that liberation can come from the most unexpected of sources, and sometimes freedom lies in the hands of the presumed adversary.
This recurring theme of making a deal with the devil is reminiscent of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, who, as myth has it, sold his soul at the crossroads for his musical prowess. ‘Broken Bones’ tips its hat to this folklore, all the while weaving its own modern mythos.
Unveiling the Hidden Meaning: Chains of Modernity
While on the surface ‘Broken Bones’ resonates with a historical struggle, it also speaks to a contemporary audience about the chains of modernity. The ‘white man’ taking away the hard-earned dollar is a metaphor for the systemic oppression that still exists today, just in different forms. The song, therefore, transcends time, speaking to a universal fight against subjugation and for economic and social freedom.
The raw ache in the lyrics is compounded by the protagonist’s acknowledgment that true freedom might not be found in this lifetime. Instead, it might come in death, with spiritual liberation being the ultimate escape from earthly chains.
Memorable Lines: A Gunshot Echoing Through Time
The vivid storytelling in ‘Broken Bones’ peaks with
‘Another hard day, no water, no rest, I saw my chance, so I got him at last, I took his six shooter, put two in his chest, He’ll never say a word no more.’ These lines cut through the rhythm with the stark reality of an oppressed soul pushed to the brink, resulting in an act of violent defiance—an event etched into the song like a gunshot echoing through time.
Broken Bones: The Anthem of Struggle and Solace
The relentless repetition of the song’s chorus and the cries for the Lord’s intervention evoke the feeling of a gospel hymn—a prayer for salvation and a better existence. It’s a sentiment that resonates on a visceral level, uniting listeners under the universal themes of hardship and hope. ‘Broken Bones’ becomes an anthem that encapsulates the human experience in its search for solace and meaning.
As ‘Broken Bones’ reaches its crescendo, the listener is left contemplating not only the individual narrative within the song but also their own battles and aspirations for freedom. It’s a masterful blend of traditional and contemporary, creating a song that will echo in the halls of music history.
