Float

Updated the video on my blog today with Flogging Molly's "Float". It's the first single from their latest cd which shares the same name. A lot of people have misinterpreted the song to be one of those "hey, let's get our drink on" party songs because of the first verse. However, that's so not what it's about.

It's actually a song of hope. Of not giving in to life's trials and tribulations. Of giving yourself credit for keeping your head above water, under grave circumstances. It's about pressing forward despite the obstacles. Metaphorically, it is about not destroying the life you have built because it has taken a great deal of strength to reach the point you're at now, and things can slowly get better (as seen in the progression of the lyrics from "drank away the rest of the day" to "tomorrow smells of less decay".)

Given where I'm at, this is both a rather odd song choice, but also a pretty wise one. I bought the cd as soon as it came out and I think that I should definitely listen to it more often than I do, especially this song.


Float
Drank away the rest of the day,
Wonder what my liver would say,
Drink, that's all you can.

Blackened days with their bigger gales,
Blow in your parlor to discuss the day,
Listen, that's all you can.

Ah but don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built, you built to keep afloat.
Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built...

Sick and tired of what to say,
No one listens anyway,
Sing, that's all you can.

Rambling years of lousy luck,
You miss the smell of burning turf,
Dream, that's all you can.

Ah but don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built, you built to keep afloat,
Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built,
That you built to keep afloat.

Singled out for who you are,
It takes all types to judge a man,
Feel, that's all you can.

Filthy suits with bigot ears,
Hide behind their own worst fears,
Live, that's all you can.

It's all you can.
It's all you can... do.

No matter where I put my head,
I wake up feeling sound again,
Breathe, it's all you can.

Tomorrow smells of less decay,
The flowers quick just bloom and fray,
Be thankful, that's all you can.

Ah but don't, don't sink the boat,
That you built, you built to keep afloat.
Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
That you built, you built to keep afloat.

Ah no don't, no don't sink the boat,
Oh that you built,
That you built to keep afloat.

A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
That's what I am.

A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
A ripe old age,
Just doing the best I can.

The best I can.