After Tod left his previous group, Cop Shoot Cop, he quickly regrouped and formed Firewater to explore the styles of music Cop Shoot Cop had only hinted at, including klezmer, cabaret, ska, jazz, and gypsy forms. More than one source described the original Firewater lineup as an "indie rock supergroup", based on members such as Duane Denison of the Jesus Lizard, Yuval Gabay of Soul Coughing, Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields, and Hahn Rowe. This original lineup proved unable to tour, and Tod recruited new musicians for the band's first tour. While the lineup has changed over the years, with many different musicians appearing on different albums and tours, Tod remains the singer, songwriter, and bassist of Firewater.
Firewater has released six albums, and has seen some success, especially in Europe and on United States college radio stations.
Their previous album, Songs We Should Have Written, is a collection of cover songs. It includes songs written by Robyn Hitchcock, The Rolling Stones ("Paint It Black" reinterpreted as a crawlingly slow raga which "shove(s) a few downers down the song's throat to counter the original version's adrenaline-fueled fire" ), and a "dark and sweet" take of Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On", described as "10 times more ominous and 20 times more pleasurable" than the original. The album also includes a modern rendition of the Johnny Cash anthem "Folsom Prison Blues".
Their latest album, The Golden Hour, has been recorded with various local musicians and friends when Tod A went on sabbatical and travelled through Thailand, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey and Israel. The record was released May 6 in 2008. The band is currently (October, 2008) touring in support of the album.
Diamonds and Gold
Firewater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say goodbye to the railroad, the mad dogs of summer
And everything that I know
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
They're wounded but they just keep on climbing
And sleep by the side of the road
There's a hole in the ladder, a fence we can climb
Mad as a hatter, you're thin as a dime
Go out to the meadow, the hills are a-green
Sing me a rainbow, steal me a dream
Small-time Napoleon's shattered his knees
But he stays in the saddle for Rose
And all his disciples, they shave in the gutter
And they gather what's left of his clothes
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
They're wounded but they just keep on climbing
And sleep by the side of the road
The lyrics of Firewater's "Diamonds and Gold" paint a picture of a world that is harsh and unforgiving, where survival is the only option. The first stanza uses vivid imagery to describe the bleakness of this world, with broken glass and rusty nails contrasting with the beauty of wild violets. The singer seems resigned to leaving behind everything he knows, as if it has become too much to bear.
The chorus speaks to the lengths that people will go to in order to acquire wealth, whether it be diamonds or gold. The use of the word "wounded" implies that these men are not unscathed by their pursuit of riches, but they persevere nonetheless. The final line of the chorus, "And sleep by the side of the road," is a poignant reminder of the toll that this lifestyle takes on those who lead it.
The second stanza introduces a new character, a "Small-time Napoleon" who is a leader of sorts, but his authority is limited to his own circle of followers. Despite his stature, he is physically broken, but continues to ride his horse for the love of a woman named Rose. His disciples may be down on their luck, but they remain loyal to their leader, even if it means having to shave in the gutter and scavenge for his belongings.
Overall, "Diamonds and Gold" is a song that explores the idea of what people are willing to sacrifice for wealth and power. The harsh conditions of the world in the lyrics serve as a reflection of the reality of modern society, where greed and ambition can often come at a steep price.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken glass, rusty nails where the wild violets grow
The surroundings are littered with broken things such as glass and nails, and although violets grow in that same place, it's not a safe area to be in.
Say goodbye to the railroad, the mad dogs of summer
The railroad and heat of the summer are too much to bear, so it's time to leave.
And everything that I know
Leaving what's familiar behind.
What some men will do here for diamonds
People will go to great lengths and make sacrifices for the sake of obtaining wealth.
What some men will do here for gold
People value and clamor for riches above almost anything else.
They're wounded but they just keep on climbing
Despite being hurt or struggling, some people will persevere and continue trying to achieve their goals.
And sleep by the side of the road
Living in a state of being homeless and without a proper place to rest or build a home.
There's a hole in the ladder, a fence we can climb
Despite weaknesses and obstacles, there are ways to overcome them and reach higher ground.
Mad as a hatter, you're thin as a dime
Being eccentric yet having very little to show for it.
Go out to the meadow, the hills are a-green
Venturing into natural surroundings which offer a beautiful setting and new opportunities.
Sing me a rainbow, steal me a dream
Going after something that's elusive or difficult to obtain, or dreaming of something beautiful that's out of reach.
Small-time Napoleon's shattered his knees
Someone who was once a powerful figure now has had their power diminished, likely through humiliation or physical injury.
But he stays in the saddle for Rose
Despite everything, he continues to ride on and be motivated by his love of a woman named Rose.
And all his disciples, they shave in the gutter
His followers or supporters have been reduced to living in a very poor and dirty environment.
And they gather what's left of his clothes
They are struggling and scavenging for whatever scraps they can get, including remnants of personal belongings.
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.