Meaning of "Driver 8" by R.E.M.

The lyrics of "Driver 8" by R.E.M. delve into the life of a train conductor, focusing on themes of monotony, fatigue, and the longing for reprieve. The mention of walls being built up stone by stone and fields divided one by one implies a slow and arduous process, mirroring the conductor's job. This imagery could also symbolize the division and separation within society. The conductor's repeated request for Driver 8 to take a break reflects the exhaustion and longing for respite from the repetitive routine. The mention of a treehouse and power lines, specifically with the purpose of preventing airplanes from getting snagged, highlights the dangers and responsibility associated with the job. The children looking up and hearing "sky-blue bells ringing" suggests the innocence and wonder that the conductor may feel is lost in their daily grind. The inclusion of the phrase "a way to shield the hated heat, a way to put myself to sleep, a way to put myself, my children to sleep" may allude to the conductor's desire for escape, finding solace in shielding themselves from their disliked circumstances and finding rest. The references to the Go Tell Crusade and the Southern Crescent symbolize different paths or choices in life. The mention of the thin fields of wheat implies the challenges and struggles faced by those who work on the land. Ultimately, the song portrays the tiring and repetitive nature of the conductor's job while longing for a change or a break from the ongoing journey.