Blue Beret
Andy Partridge/XTC Lyrics

Life is sometimes shorter than you think
Life can end unexpectedly and abruptly

So take yourself a hike from the kitchen sink
Get out of your mundane routine and explore the world

Me, I like to roam
The singer enjoys traveling and seeing new places

Wasn't built in a day
It takes time to build something great

And night throws the stars in our way
The night sky is full of wonder and amazement

Meanwhile on planet earth
While we are all living our lives on Earth

Some people are dying for the right to say
Some individuals are fighting for the right to speak their minds

Some people are dying 'cause the other people busy blowing them away
People are being killed due to violence and war caused by others

Well, we're all dying so we better have a ton of fun along the way
Since we are all going to die eventually, we should enjoy life while we can

I say hats off, get your hats off, take your hats off, get your hats off
The singer is celebrating something and encouraging others to join in

For the blue beret
The blue beret represents something important and worth celebrating

The wind has blown it off his head
The blue beret has been taken away or lost due to external forces

And sent it spinning straight to nowhere
The blue beret is now lost and directionless

Life is sometimes longer than you need
Life can also be longer than desired, especially if it's filled with negative experiences

Especially if it's thrown away on hate and greed
Life can feel long and unsatisfying if it's focused on negative emotions and actions

Well, me I like to think while the other fish swim
The singer enjoys taking a different approach to life than others do

But sharks made a meal out of him
The singer was attacked or taken advantage of by other people

Meanwhile on bone dry land
This line further emphasizes the powerlessness of the singer's situation

Some people just want the right to say
Others simply wish to have the freedom to express themselves

Some people are merely blown away
Some are lost or negatively affected by their circumstances

I say hats off, take your hats off, get your hats off, take your hats off
The celebration continues

To the blue beret
The blue beret remains an important symbol to the singer

So just love your dog and don't kick your wife
The singer suggests focusing on love and positivity rather than aggression or violence

Put down that knife, watch out the windows,
The singer is urging someone to stop engaging in harmful behavior and be more aware of their surroundings

And blow your hat away
This line repeats the earlier theme of letting go of something important, in this case symbolized by the hat