Different Drum
Dancing to a Different Drum: Bill Miller's Poetic Journey
Lyrics
David had an eagle tatooed on his right arm
David has an eagle tattoo on his right arm.
He got it back in high school, when we were working on the farm
He got the tattoo during high school while working on the farm.
He's still got that arrowhead we found when we were kids
David still possesses an arrowhead they found as kids.
And I knew we would be like brothers, well just as long as we both lived
The speaker expected a brotherly bond with David for their entire lives.
I still got my memories of the night we jumped the fence
The speaker reminisces about jumping a fence with David.
Stole you uncle's pickup truck, drove it up around the bend
They stole the uncle's pickup truck and drove it around the bend.
You were the handsome cowboy, I the trusty brave
David was the handsome cowboy, and the speaker was the trusty brave.
We were looking for some fallen angel waiting to be saved
They were searching for a fallen angel to save.
Well for some it just comes so easy
Some find life easy, while for others, it's ingrained.
For others seems its bread in the bones
Contrasting experiences of ease and struggle in life.
But we danced to the beat of a different drum
They followed a different path than the one they knew at home.
Then the one we heard at home
Their rhythm and choices were unconventional compared to their upbringing.
I went to the mountains, I was reaching for the sun
The speaker went to the mountains, seeking a higher purpose.
I was on fire for leaving, this angry battle I thought I'd won
The speaker was passionate about leaving, thinking they had won a personal battle.
David dug his trenches, he fought his war at home
David faced challenges at home, metaphorically digging trenches.
My mountain soon was crumbling, God I was all alone
The speaker's mountain (challenges) crumbled, leaving them alone.
Well for some it just comes so easy
Life's ease varies for different people.
And for others its bread in their bones
Some find their path ingrained in their being.
But I danced to the beat of a different drum
The speaker continues to follow a unique rhythm compared to home.
Then the one I heard at home
Their choices remain distinct from their upbringing.
It was years before the smoke cleared, I could come back home again
After years, the speaker could return home and face their father.
Look my father in the eyes, I could finally let him in
The speaker realized their father wasn't the enemy; the true enemy was within.
For he was not the enemy, no the enemy was within
The speaker knew others would understand when they realized David was their friend.
And I knew the day they understood because David was my friend
Life's ease is different for everyone.
Well for some you know it comes so easy
Some have their path ingrained in their being.
And for others seems its bread in their bones
The speaker still follows a unique rhythm compared to home.
But I still danced to the beat of a different drum
Their choices remain distinct, even after returning home.
Then the one I heard at home
The speaker still dances to a different beat than the one heard at home.
I will always dance to the beat of a different drum
The speaker expresses a commitment to always follow a unique path.
For the warrior has come home
The warrior, likely the speaker, has returned home.
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