The New Modern Man

I saw this video in a rock ‘n roll bar in Amsterdam recently. While I was familiar with Metallica’s Wherever I May Roam, I had never really paid much attention to the meaning of the lyrics. For some reason the message finally clicked with me as a sipped Grolsch beers and flirted with a pretty blonde waitress. This is the nomad’s theme song. How appropriate I heard it on my first adventure to Europe. The lyrics tell the story:

And the road becomes my bride
I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied
Gives me all I need

And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay a slave

Roamer, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will

But I’ll take my time anywhere
Free to speak my mind anywhere
And I’ll redefine anywhere

Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home

(And the earth becomes my throne)

And the earth becomes my throne
I adapt to the unknown
Under wandering stars I’ve grown
By myself but not alone
I ask no one

And my ties are severed clean
Less I have the more I gain
Off the beaten path I reign

Roamer, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will

But I’ll take my time anywhere
I’m free to speak my mind anywhere
and I’ll never mind anywhere

Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home
YE’ YEAH

But I’ll take my time anywhere
I’m free to speak my mind
And I’ll take my find anywhere

Anywhere I may roam
Where I lay my head is home
I say!

But I’ll take my time anywhere
I’m free to speak my mind anywhere
And I’ll redefine anywhere

Anywhere I may roam
Where I lay my head is home

Carved upon my stone
My body lies, but still I roam,
Yeah yeah!

Wherever I may roam
Wherever I may roam
Woah

Wherever I may roam
Wherever I may roam
Yeah!

Wherever I may wander, wander, wander
Wherever I may roam

Yeah, yeah, wherever I may roam

Yeah, yeah, wherever I may roam
Wherever I may roam
Wherever I may roam

A man certainly doesn’t hear lyrics like this in de-balled mainstream “nice guy” music these days. But, there was a time this sentiment was flapping in the breeze in the U.S. Those days are no more. The freedom-minded man is truly all by himself today. The road to personal freedom and fulfillment is the one I’ve decided to take, rather than the well-beaten path to corporate serfdom.

As Robert Frost knew when he wrote The Road Not Taken, taking the road less traveled by makes all the difference. These words embody the spirit of The New Modern Man as I embark for destinations unknown.

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