The Traveling Wilburys – End Of The Line (Official Video)

About the song

End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys: A Song of Nostalgia and Reflection

In the realm of music, there exist songs that transcend time and genre, songs that weave their way into the very fabric of our being, etching themselves into our memories and shaping our emotional landscapes. The Traveling Wilburys’ “End of the Line” is one such gem, a poignant ballad that has resonated with listeners for decades, offering solace and companionship through its heartfelt lyrics and melancholic melody.

Crafted by a supergroup of musical legends – Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison – “End of the Line” emerged from a serendipitous jam session in 1988. The song’s genesis lies in the tragic passing of Orbison’s son, a loss that deeply affected the group. Amidst their grief, they found solace in music, pouring their emotions into a song that captured the essence of loss, reflection, and the bittersweet beauty of life’s journey.

The song opens with a gentle acoustic guitar strumming, setting the stage for Dylan’s weathered vocals. His voice, imbued with a lifetime of experiences, carries the weight of the lyrics, each word resonating with profound emotion. The verses paint a picture of life’s impermanence, of moments fleeting and memories fading.

“We’re travelers on a rocky road, we come and go, we fade away,” Dylan sings, his voice echoing the universal human experience of mortality. The lyrics touch upon the inevitability of endings, the realization that our time on earth is finite.

The chorus, a poignant refrain, serves as a poignant reminder of life’s transient nature:

“We’re travelers in the cosmic dust, we’re travelers in the wind,

We’re travelers on a journey, but the end is not in sight.”

Despite the somber undertones, “End of the Line” is not a song of despair. Instead, it is an ode to the resilience of the human spirit, our ability to find beauty and meaning amidst life’s challenges. The lyrics acknowledge the pain of loss, the sting of endings, but they also offer a glimmer of hope, a reminder that life, in all its fragility, is still a precious gift.

The song’s melancholic melody perfectly complements the lyrics, creating a sense of longing and introspection. The gentle strumming of the acoustic guitar, the subtle interplay of piano and strings, and the occasional bursts of harmonica all contribute to the song’s emotional depth.

“End of the Line” is a song that lingers long after the last note has faded. It is a testament to the power of music to transcend language and culture, to speak to the very core of our humanity. It is a song that reminds us to cherish the present moment, to embrace the beauty and fragility of life, and to find solace in the shared experience of human existence.

Video

Lyrics

“End Of The Line”

 

Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, doing the best you can
Well it’s all right, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (End of the Line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (End of the Line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (End of the Line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well it’s all right, even if they say you’re wrong
Well it’s all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it’s all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it’s all right, everyday is Judgment Day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways (End of the Line)
You’ll think of me, wonder where I am these days (End of the Line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (End of the Line)
Purple haze

Well it’s all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it’s all right, if you got someone to love
Well it’s all right, everything’ll work out fine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line

Don’t have to be ashamed of the car I drive (End of the Line)
I’m just glad to be here, happy to be alive (End of the Line)
It don’t matter if you’re by my side (End of the Line)
I’m satisfied

Well it’s all right, even if you’re old and gray
Well it’s all right, you still got something to say
Well it’s all right, remember to live and let live
Well it’s all right, the best you can do is forgive

Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, even if the sun don’t shine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line