Constantines were formed in Guelph, Ontario in 1999 but first relocated to … Read Full Bio ↴Constantines were formed in Guelph, Ontario in 1999 but first relocated to London, Ontario and then to Toronto in 2001. They originally formed as a quartet but added keyboardist Evan Gordon in 2002 who left soon after to pursue his own song writing. The current lineup consists of Bryan Webb and Steve Lambke on vocals and guitar, Dallas Wehrle on bass, Will Kidman on keyboards and Doug McGregor rounding out the quintet on drums.

They released their first three full length albums, Constantines, Shine a Light and Tournament of Hearts on the Canadian label Three Gut Records. Following the demise of that label in 2007 they released their fourth album, Kensignton Heights on the Arts and Crafts label in the spring of 2008. Outside Canada they are on the Sub Pop label.

Life Or Death
Constantines Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I keep a lighter in my pocket
Since the fall of 2005
I was there, waiting on a revelation
I was lucky to get out alive

I was looking for a name
For a place to begin again
Was I a man dreaming of a drug

Or a drug dreaming of a man?

Life or death

Transmissions from the liberation front
Broken English on invisible wires
So far gone, I didn't cast a shadow
I believed I was born a liar

I was looking for a name
For a place to begin again
I was a man losing his voice
For words misused and things unsaid

Life or death

Hard won the sweet and aimless morning
The second son who learned to speak by counting
Is moving on
Well, free of understanding

I was lucking to get out alive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Constantines' song Life or Death are both haunting and poignant in their reflection upon the human desire for redemption and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The opening lines of the song create a sense of foreboding, as the singer describes carrying a lighter since 2005 and feeling fortunate for having escaped with his life. This could be interpreted in a few different ways- perhaps he has been carrying the lighter as a talisman or for survival purposes, or perhaps it is a metaphorical weight he has been carrying since a traumatic event occurred in 2005. The line "I was there, waiting on a revelation" suggests that the singer is waiting for some kind of profound experience or moment of clarity that will bring meaning to his life. The following lines are introspective, questioning whether he is a man dreaming of a drug or a drug dreaming of a man- emphasizing the search for identity and purpose.

The next verse describes "transmissions from the liberation front" and "broken English on invisible wires," evoking a sense of detachment or distance. The line "I believed I was born a liar" reinforces the idea that the singer feels lost, disconnected from his own truth. The chorus repeats the phrase "life or death" like a mantra, perhaps indicating that the stakes are high in this search for meaning. The final verse speaks of a "sweet and aimless morning," and a second son who is "moving on" but "free of understanding." This seems to be a metaphor for the singer himself- moving forward but still searching for answers, lacking a clear sense of direction.

Overall, the lyrics to "Life or Death" seem to be grappling with themes of identity, meaning, and the search for redemption or self-understanding. The repeated refrain of "life or death" creates a sense of urgency and stakes in this quest, and the imagery of broken wires and being born a liar suggest a sense of disconnection or fragmentation in the singer's internal world. The song is a powerful reflection on the human condition, and the struggles we all face in finding our place in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

I keep a lighter in my pocket
I always keep a lighter with me.

Since the fall of 2005
I have been doing this since 2005.

I was there, waiting on a revelation
I was waiting for something to change my life.

I was lucky to get out alive
I barely made it out alive.

I was looking for a name
I was searching for my identity.

For a place to begin again
For a fresh start.

Was I a man dreaming of a drug
Am I a man who wants drugs or a man who dreams of drugs?

Or a drug dreaming of a man?
Or am I a drug that dreams of controlling a man?

Life or death
This is a life or death situation.

Transmissions from the liberation front
Messages from those fighting for freedom.

Broken English on invisible wires
Difficult to understand messages transmitted secretly.

So far gone, I didn't cast a shadow
I was in a state of mind where I seemed invisible.

I believed I was born a liar
I felt like I was a naturally deceitful person.

I was a man losing his voice
I felt like I was losing my ability to communicate effectively.

For words misused and things unsaid
I regret saying the wrong things or not saying the right things.

Hard won the sweet and aimless morning
I have finally reached a peaceful morning after a difficult time.

The second son who learned to speak by counting
I learned to communicate through a unique method.

Is moving on
I am ready to move forward.

Well, free of understanding
Without complete comprehension or clarity.

Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC DBA GALLERYAC MUSIC
Written by: BRYAN WEBB, DALLAS WEHRLE, DOUG MACGREGOR, STEVEN LAMBKE, WILL KIDMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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