Album version
Where the road is dark and the seed is sowed
Where the gun is cocked and the bullet's cold
Where the miles are marked in blood and gold
I'll meet you further on up the road
Got on my dead man's suit and my smiling skull ring
My lucky graveyard boots and a song to sing
I got a song to sing to keep me out of the cold
And I'll meet you further on up the road
Further on up the road
Further on up the road
Where the way is dark and the night is cold
One sunny morning we'll rise I know
And I'll meet you further on up the road
Now I been out in the desert just doing my time
Searching through the dust looking for a sign
If there's a light up ahead, well brother I don't know
But I got this fever burning in my soul
So let's take the good times as they go
And I'll meet you further on up the road
Further on up the road
Further on up the road
Further on up the road
Further on up the road
One sunny morning we'll rise I know
And I'll meet you further on up the road
One sunny morning we'll rise I know
And I'll meet you further on up the road
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 2002 album The Rising. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) as released on The Rising.
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was probably written in early 1999; the song first appeared during the private rehearsals that took place in March 1999 in Asbury Park in preparation for The Reunion Tour. The line "Where the road is dark and the seed is sowed" would later appear in ALL I'M THINKIN' ABOUT and the lines "Got on my dead man's suit and my smiling skull ring / My lucky graveyard boots and a song to sing" would later appear in MARIA'S BED.
The album version of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was recorded between January and March 2002 at Southern Tracks in Atlanta, GA, although an earlier studio version with the E Street Band from March 2001 may exist in the vaults.
The Rising is Bruce Springsteen's 12th studio album, released on 30 Jul 2002 on Columbia Records. It's Springsteen's first studio album in seven years and his first with the E Street Band in 18 years. The album was produced and mixed by Brendan O'Brien and recorded with the E Street Band between January and March 2002 at Southern Tracks in Atlanta, GA. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2003, and was also nominated for the Album Of The Year award.
The album features 15 new Springsteen compositions and clocks at 72:52.
Other versions of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) were also officially released.
In preparation for The Reunion Tour, FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) is known to have been practiced during at one of the private rehearsals that took place in March 1999 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg.
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed 8 times during what is known as The Reunion Tour (132 dates, April 1999 to July 2000), all in the tour's last month. Note that the song was practiced several times during the sound-checks earlier in the tour (starting from 08 Apr 2000 in St. Louis, MO, as far as it's known) before it made its public world debut.
In preparation for The Rising Tour, FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) is known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in July 2002 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg.
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed X times during The Rising Tour (120 dates, August 2002 to October 2003). Note that the song was practiced several times during the sound-checks earlier in the tour (starting from 15 Aug 2002 in Auburn Hills, MI, as far as it's known) before it made its public tour debut.
In preparation for the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour, FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed during two of the tour's two public warm-up rehearsal shows that took place in April 2005 in Asbury Park. The song is also known to have been practiced during at least two of the private rehearsals that took place in March and April 2005 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg.
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed 39 times during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour (72 dates, April to November 2005). The song was played in a solo acoustic guitar arrangement. The live 31 Jul 2005 version of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was released on the Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005 official live download in 2015. The live 03 Aug 2005 version of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was released on the Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005 official live download in 2018. The live 22 Nov 2005 version of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was released on the Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton, NJ 2005 official live download in 2019.
In preparation for The Seeger Sessions Tour, FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) is also known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in Mar-Apr 2006 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's first leg, and during at least two of the private rehearsals that took place in September 2006 in Asbury Park prior to the tour's second European leg.
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed 15 times during The Seeger Sessions Tour (56 dates, April to November 2006). The song was played in a radically revamped full-band arrangement. The live 13 Jun 2006 version features several unique lyrics including an extra verse. The live 17 Nov 2006 version of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was released on the Live In Dublin album and home video in 2007.
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed off-tour on 19 Dec 2004 at Harry's Roadhouse in Asbury Park, NJ, during both holiday jam shows that took place that day.
Between 2002 and 2011, Bruce Springsteen played private benefit shows for schools and colleges that his kids attended ─ Rumson Country Day School of Rumson, NJ, and Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Boston College of Chestnut Hill, MA. FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed at 5 of these fundraisers, always at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, and backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band.
Bruce Springsteen appeared at a total of six Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers concerts at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Pittsburgh, PA, in 2010, 2011, and 2014. FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) was performed on 23 May 2014. The song was played in a solo acoustic arrangement.
At least 14 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD).
List of available versions of FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) on this website:
FURTHER ON (UP THE ROAD) [Album version]
