So trade that typical for something colorful
And if it’s crazy, live a little crazy
You can play it sensible, a king of conventional
Or you can risk it all and see
Don’t you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play’
Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
If you’ve never watched The Greatest Showman, take 5 minutes and watch this scene now. The background is this:
- Zach Effron’s character comes from wealth and lives a very upper-class, posh life.
- Hugh Jackman’s character comes from nothing, was orphaned at a young age, and is trying to start the circus.
- The show is loosely based on the life of PT Barnum.
In this scene, Hugh Jackman’s character is trying to convince Zach Effron’s character to give up his life of luxury and join him in building the circus:
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with this song. I also love the scene itself, likely because I’m a huge bourbon fan, and I imagine myself doing shots of bourbon with those two!
When I listen to this song, it feels a little uncanny how much I identify with it. The lyrics perfectly parrot the two sides of my brain and how they debate taking a sabbatical. I can just imagine Zach and Hugh sitting on my shoulders, like a devil and angel offering a dialogue.
In this case though, Zach is the rational, logical corporate manager. Hugh is the creative entrepreneur, ready to embrace change and freedom.
Here is what the two sit on my shoulders and say to me.
There is a part of me that says I need a break. I am ready to break free from the corporate job I feel trapped in by taking a sabbatical. I’m ready to give it all up and live a little crazy:
You run with me
And I can cut you free
Out of the drudgery and walls you keep in
So trade that typical for something colorful
And if it’s crazy, live a little crazy
You can play it sensible, a king of conventional
Or you can risk it all and see
On my bravest days, I’m ready to escape my cage:
Don’t you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play’
Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
It’ll take you to the other side
‘Cause you can do like you do
Or you can do like me
Stay in the cage, or you’ll finally take the key
Oh, damn! Suddenly you’re free to fly
It’ll take you to the other side
But then the rational, good corporate employee in me says:
Well I hate to tell you, but it just won’t happen
So thanks, but no
I think I’m good to go’
Cause I quite enjoy the life you say I’m trapped in
The person inside of me who has adapted to all of the things society has told us are important says:
Don’t you know that I’m okay with this uptown part I get to play
‘Cause I got what I need and I don’t want to take the ride
I don’t need to see the other side
So go and do like you do
I’m good to do like me
Ain’t in a cage, so I don’t need to take the key
Oh, damn! Can’t you see I’m doing fine
I don’t need to see the other side.
That’s right. I’m not in a cage. I’m doing fine. I don’t need to see the other side. Taking a sabbatical isn’t necessary.
But then, back on my other shoulder, there is a voice, not in my head but in my gut:
Now is this really how you like to spend your days?
Whiskey and misery, and parties and plays
Let’s face it. I do like my whisky. And parties. And plays. Yep, I’m perfectly happy owning my very upper-class life.
And I worry, if and when I do leave it all behind, what will people say:
If I were mixed up with you, I’d be the talk of the town
Disgraced and disowned, another one of the clowns.
But then there is that voice again, the calling from my gut that tells me that when I do take my sabbatical:
But you would finally live a little, finally laugh a little
Just let me give you the freedom to dream
And this is exactly where I end up:
Forget the cage, ’cause we know how to make the key
Oh, damn! Suddenly we’re free to fly
We’re going to the other side
I know deep down that when I make the leap, I will be free to fly. I don’t want to be caged in. I’m ready to break free and go to the other side. Taking a sabbatical is the solution.
Now I just need to get there.
This post is part of our Sabbatical Sundays series. To read more, click here.
