Heroes
David David Lyrics

Fifteen long years
After a decade and a half of losing and facing the consequences, this song's narrator is telling us about their experiences.

On a losing streak
It is implied here that whatever this person did for the past 15 years, they weren't too good at it.

And a lot of bodies unburied
There have been a lot of negative consequences that came along with the losing streak. These people were either hurt or possibly killed on the way. Bodies remaining unburied evoke an image of chaos and lawlessness.

And there comes a time
The song's narrator is saying that after such an extended period of time, there comes a point where you stop backing down.

When you cannot turn the other cheek
The artist is saying that there will eventually come a point when you can't just let things go, and you have to do something about them.

You have got to ride the ferry
In order to get where you need to be, you must cross over the treacherous waters of life.

Past the battered old bodies
The singer is becoming more detailed, emphasizing the trauma that has happened before the point of decision.

Of dead dead dreamers
Those people who had passions and ideals, yet died before they could fully realize them.

Past the tethered and fettered and Desk bound schemers
The artist holds resentment for people who don't act on their desires, preferring to use excuses and logical reasoning to restrict themselves.

The punks and the drunks and the Bad guitar players and the dewy eyed Teenage dragon slayers
Here, the artist is saying that all kinds of strange and unlikely people cross this perilous river at some point.

You come to this place
This point of reflection, after crossing through so many dangers, and meeting so many peculiar and strang individuals.

Where you can say I
Here the artist is saying that this is the point when you can confidently declare something.

Just want to work with you
The song's narrator is saying he wants to establish a cooperative relationship with someone else who has crossed the same treacherous waters in order to make it to the other side.

As we do the things that we know We have to do
At this juncture, things become clear, and there is a solid understanding of what must be accomplished.

Ever hopeful and ever blue we Do the things that we know we have to do
While still acknowledging the difficulties of life, there is a firm determination to get things done.

And though we all know deep down in our hearts That someday this will all fall apart
The song's narrator is saying he's aware the cooperative relationship might hit the rocks someday, which may cause eventual ending.

For right now let's just be heroes
At the moment, instead of being disheartened by the inevitable fate of their efforts, the song's narrator urges to move forward and do what they can to make a change.

The telegraph man
This is a person who delivers telegraphs, suggesting that he's a messenger, and perhaps his message involves the idea of letting go of technology in exchange for a more vibrant future.

Took a break today he Pulled out all the wires
The telegraph man could be seen as symbolizing a break from the technological advances of the time, encouraging his colleagues to disconnect and reflect.

He looked out the window at the Rainy rainy day and he Wondered about the future of fire
The telegraphman is looking out the window and wondering what state the world will be in after human technology has ruined everything.

As he leaned back in his chair With a long cold fishy eyed stare He looked like December until he Remembered
The telegraph man appears to be a weathered man, who has seen so much of the world and its changes that he has a bitter demeanor. He seems like he's ready to leave this world but remembers something that changes his outlook.

Yeah we both know deep down in our hearts Someday this will all fall apart
The artist is saying that the telegraph man and he both know that it's only a matter of time that these technological advancements, which have caused devastation, will fall apart.

For right now let's just be heroes
Both the telegraph man and the singer encourage each other to be heroes, to do whatever they can to make a positive impact until the inevitable end.