Firebird is a British blues-rock power trio founded by Bill Steer in 1999. … Read Full Bio ↴Firebird is a British blues-rock power trio founded by Bill Steer in 1999. The music style, reminiscent of seventies rock bands such as Cream, is a radical departure from Steer's previous work with grindcore pioneers Napalm Death and death metal band Carcass. Firebird's lineup has seen several drummers and bass players come and go, but Steer's congenial vocals and guitar playing have kept the band's vibe stable.

Discography: Firebird (2000), Deluxe (2001), No. 3 (2003), Hot Wings (2006) and Grand Union (2009)

Band members:

* Bill Steer - guitar, vocals, harmonica (1999 - present)
* Smok Smoczkiewicz - bass guitar (2007 - present)
* Ludwig Witt - drums (1999 - 2001 & 2005 - present)
* Leo Smee - bass guitar (1999 - 2001)
* Tom Broman - drums (2001)
* Tobias Nilsson - bass guitar (2001)
* Roger Nilsson - bass guitar (2002)
* George Atlagic - drums (2002)
* Alan French - drums (2002 - 2004)
* Al Steer - bass guitar (2003 - 2006)
* Harry Armstrong - bass guitar (2006 - 2007)

Cross The Line
Firebird Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

That's right, yeah, just sign your life away
For the fool's parade
Hard times, yeah, they put you here today
In the sad charade
And you'll find instead you'll always pay
For the serenade

And I'm just not that kind

Believe me

When the time has come
And the deal's been done
And the fight is over (?)
Won't be feeling quite so fine

Well they it's true if you only knew
Where it all was going
Maybe you would change your mind
But you crossed that line

Sad man, yeah, he's feeling better now
???
??? he's gonna tell you how
When's it time to go

??? just sits and takes a vow
Course it's all for show

You know I'm not that kind
Believe me

When the time has come
And the deal's been done
???
Won't be feeling quite so fine

Well they it's true if you only knew
Where it all was going
Maybe you would change your mind
But you crossed that line

Yeah, you crossed that line

Overall Meaning

The song "Cross the Line" by Firebird explores the theme of regret and the consequences of making decisions that compromise one's values. The opening lines of the song, "just sign your life away for the fool's parade" suggest that the persona is warning someone against making a decision that may have serious repercussions in the future. The use of the metaphor "fool's parade" suggests that the person is willingly walking into a situation that may end badly. The next lines, "hard times, yeah, they put you here today in the sad charade" suggest that the person may have been forced into this situation by circumstances beyond their control, but they are still willingly walking into it.

The persona suggests that the person will always have to pay for the "serenade", implying a sense of regret for the actions that have been taken. The chorus, "And I'm just not that kind, Believe me When the time has come And the deal's been done And the fight is over Won't be feeling quite so fine" suggests that the persona is not willing to compromise their values for short-term gains. The reference to "fight" being over in the chorus could refer to a sense of peace that may come after the consequences of the decision made are faced.

The following verses suggest that other people are in similar situations, but the persona is not willing to follow their lead. The line "Well they it's true if you only knew Where it all was going Maybe you would change your mind But you crossed that line" suggests that the persona is warning others but they too have crossed that line and may have to face the same consequences. Overall, the song explores the idea that one's actions have consequences and that sometimes it's better to stay true to oneself and not cross that line.

Line by Line Meaning

That's right, yeah, just sign your life away
You are making a huge mistake by signing away your life.

For the fool's parade
You are blindly following others towards your doom.

Hard times, yeah, they put you here today
Your difficult circumstances have led you to this desperate decision.

In the sad charade
Your situation is a pitiful act that will not end well.

And you'll find instead you'll always pay
You will suffer consequences for your actions.

For the serenade
You were lured in by a seductive, but dangerous offer.

And I'm just not that kind
I am not one to make foolish decisions.

Believe me
Trust in my experience and judgment.

When the time has come
At the point of no return.

And the deal's been done
After you have made an irreversible commitment.

And the fight is over (?)
After struggling to get out of your situation.