Well I wish I had a nickel
For every time I fell and blamed somebody else
I’d give a ton of money to the ones I’ve hurt
And I’d still be sittin’ pretty well
I’ve spent years losin’ touch of what’s right and what’s real
Caught up in these missions of my own
And you’re tellin’ me you think I’ve done so damn well
While we’re sittin’ here a thousand miles from home
There’s a hole in your wisdom, a hole in your sky
Two holes in your head where the light’s supposed to get by
Time to lock and load
Time to get control
Time to search the soul
And start again
So many times I’ve seen chances disappear
I hesitate and watch them slip away
Like the time I fail to spend with the ones I love
And it’s gone as sure as yesterday
All these users and fakers, big time takers
Manipulating everyone they see
I get caught up in their schemes and their useless dreams
And the only one I have to blame is me
I get turned `round and twisted, pulled left and right
I can see where I’m goin’, but I can’t see the light
Time to lock and load
Come in from the cold
Take a different road
And start again
I can sit here, in the back half of my life
And wonder when the other shoe will fall
Or I can stand up, point myself home
And see if I’ve learned anything at all
Anything at all
Mediocrity is easy, the good things take time
The great need commitment, right down the line
Time to lock and load
Come in from the cold
Pay these debts I owe
And start again
I’ve been down this road
I’ve seen things get old
Time to get control
And start it all again
Time to lock and load
Time to get control
Time to search the soul
And start again
I’ve been down this road
I’ve seen things get old
Stand up, get bold
And start it all again
Time to lock and load
Confronting the Past and Choosing Change
“Lock And Load” by Bob Seger is a powerful reflection on personal accountability and the drive to break free from self-destructive cycles. The lyrics reveal a protagonist who openly admits to past mistakes and moments of blame-shifting, while yearning for redemption and a fresh start. Through vivid imagery—like “a hole in your wisdom, a hole in your sky”—Seger paints a portrait of someone grappling with regret, missed opportunities, and the burden of their own choices.
Embracing Renewal and Taking Control
At its core, the song is a call to action: “Time to lock and load.” This recurring refrain urges the listener to reclaim control, examine the soul, and boldly chart a new course. Seger’s message is clear—while mediocrity is easy, true greatness demands commitment and the courage to start again, no matter how many times you’ve stumbled.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bob Seger
- Songwriters: Bob Seger, Craig Frost
- Release Year: 1991
- Label: Capitol Records