Runner
Crosses
Escaping the Cage: A Journey of Desperation and Hope
The song 'Runner' by Crosses delves into themes of escape, desperation, and the search for safety. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two individuals on the run, seeking refuge from an unspecified but clearly dangerous situation. The repeated questioning of 'where you runnin'?' and 'where are you going?' underscores a sense of urgency and confusion, as if the characters are fleeing without a clear destination, driven by the need to survive.
The imagery of 'days from the mouth of this cage' and 'days from the caves where it's safe' suggests a journey from entrapment to freedom. The 'cage' symbolizes a place of confinement and danger, while the 'caves' represent a sanctuary. This contrast highlights the characters' desperate need to escape their current predicament and find a place of safety. The mention of 'bombs rang out in the air' and 'shots go off in the air' adds a layer of violence and chaos to their journey, emphasizing the peril they face.
The recurring motif of 'flowers rain from the air' and 'waves of flowers bury us both' introduces a surreal, almost dreamlike quality to the narrative. Flowers, often symbols of beauty and peace, juxtapose the violence and danger, suggesting a longing for tranquility amidst the turmoil. The final lines, 'Now, we are there, we are there,' whispered in a moment of intimacy, imply that the characters have finally reached a place of safety or perhaps a state of acceptance. This ending leaves the listener with a sense of resolution, albeit tinged with ambiguity, as it is unclear whether 'there' is a physical location or a metaphorical state of mind.