Jig of Death
Brave the Sea Lyrics

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Oh, Donnie was a loner who would prowl the streets at night
He′d antagonize the children
Just to try to start a fight
He'd round up all the cats in town and dig them all a tomb
I don′t wish death on any person
But I hope it finds you soon

Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die

Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
I really hate your face
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
I really hate your face

At nine he robbed the market
At ten he robbed it more
At eleven he would light a match
And burn down the whole store
He'd violate all of the ladies
Fresh brake pads by noon
I don't wish death on any person
But I hope it finds you soon

Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
I really hate your face
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
I really hate your face

One night he did approach me
On the day my daddy died
He said "your mom is sure a looker"
And he flashed his wicked smile
Well, I lost my cool I pinned him down
And then I told him true
I don′t wish death on any person
But I′ll bring it quick to you

Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
I really hate your face
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
I really hate your-
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die

Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
The Jig of Death won't wait

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brave the Sea's "Jig of Death" revolve around Donnie, a person who engages in various illegal activities, including robbing, burning down stores, and violating ladies. He is also known for antagonizing children and rounding up cats to bury them. The singer despises Donnie and wishes death upon him while acknowledging that it is not correct to wish death on any person. The song describes how the singer confronts Donnie one night after Donnie approaches him inappropriately and then pins him down, threatens to kill him, and informs him that death will find him sooner or later.

The lyrics convey a sense of hatred towards the character of Donnie, who is shown to be a violent and vile person. The choice of words, "Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die," creates an eerie effect that adds to the atmosphere of the song. The use of the Jig of Death as an element in the lyrics reveals that the song is not just about the singer's feelings towards Donnie, but also about the inevitability of death that awaits every human.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Donnie was a loner who would prowl the streets at night
Donnie was someone who wandered alone at night, possibly looking for trouble.

He'd antagonize the children, just to try to start a fight
He would provoke and upset children, seemingly just to cause trouble.

He'd round up all the cats in town and dig them all a tomb
Donnie would cruelly capture cats and bury them alive, showing his violent tendencies towards animals.

I don't wish death on any person, but I hope it finds you soon
The singer is not advocating for Donnie to die, but they believe that his actions may lead to his own demise, and they are not feeling sympathetic towards him.

At nine he robbed the market, at ten he robbed it more
Donnie started committing robberies at a young age, and he continued to escalate his criminal behavior over time.

At eleven he would light a match and burn down the whole store
Donnie was destructive, burning down entire stores without any regard for the consequences.

He'd violate all of the ladies, fresh brake pads by noon
Donnie was abusive towards women and would steal car parts in the same day, demonstrating that he had no respect for the law or other people's property.

One night he did approach me, on the day my daddy died
Donnie had the audacity to approach the singer during a time of mourning, showing that he had no empathy or understanding of other people's emotions.

He said 'your mom is sure a looker', and he flashed his wicked smile
Donnie made inappropriate and creepy comments towards the singer's mother, further demonstrating his predatory behavior.

I don't wish death on any person, but I'll bring it quick to you
The singer is stating that they are willing to use violence to defend themselves from Donnie's advances and are not afraid to hurt him.

Oh Donnie, diddle-diddle, oh Donnie die
The singer is using a chant to emphasize their desire for Donnie's demise.

The Jig of Death won't wait
The singer is warning Donnie that his actions have consequences and that he may meet his end sooner than he thinks.

Writer(s): William John, Matthew Toskin, Ryan Boggs, Matt Bibler, Justin Gambill, Dennis Berendts

Contributed by Sebastian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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