When I Burn This Place Down
Firewater Lyrics


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After 29 years
On the stroke of 13
I woke up from my life
Like it was all just a bad dream
My get up and go
Had just got up and split
After you ground me under your heel
Like a spent cigarette
When your memory's crashed
When your out on the tiles
Just remember that
Everyone loves a good kid
Who can loose with a smile
When they break both your legs
Don't come running to me
And baby if you were drowning
I'd throw you a funeral wreath

When I burn this place down
I'll make sure you're around
Girl, I want you to see
The big smile on my face
As I hitch a ride out of town
Well, I ain't gonna come to your party
But baby, I'm sure gonna dance on your grave




It's the least I can do
For the time that I spent as your slave

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Firewater's "When I Burn This Place Down" are filled with symbolism of liberation and rebirth. The singer of the song has lived for 29 years on "the stroke of 13", a clear suggestion of a life of bad luck, misfortune, or of being burdened by external forces. In the next line, the singer awakens from their life as if it was a "bad dream." This could mean the singer has gained a newfound freedom, emerged from a long period of depression, or escaped a toxic relationship. The get-up-and-go which had eluded the singer in their previous life has finally returned, allowing them to leave behind the oppression and negativity that was grinding them "under your heel."


The line "everyone loves a good kid, who can lose with a smile" appears to be directed towards the person who held the singer down, presumably an ex-lover or a former friend. The singer suggests that no matter how low they may feel or how much they are being pushed down, they will always be loved for their positive attitude. The singer warns their oppressor that if and when things go badly for them, they will not assist, and if they were to come to the singer for help when in trouble, the singer would offer nothing more than a "funeral wreath."


The chorus is a celebration of the singer's escape, declaring that they will burn down the place where they have been oppressed and stuck and the person who has held them hostage will be present to witness it. Furthermore, the singer makes it clear that they will not be there to entertain their oppressor but rather to dance on their oppressor's future grave. It's the only way the singer feels they can even out the score.


Line by Line Meaning

After 29 years
29 long years have passed


On the stroke of 13
At exactly 1 PM


I woke up from my life
I regained consciousness from an unfulfilled life


Like it was all just a bad dream
It felt like a nightmare


My get up and go
My enthusiasm


Had just got up and split
Had disappeared completely


After you ground me under your heel
You crushed me underneath your feet


Like a spent cigarette
As if I was mere trash


When your memory's crashed
When you're in a bad state of mind


When you're out on the tiles
When you're partying too much


Just remember that
Keep in mind


Everyone loves a good kid
People appreciate a good-natured person


Who can lose with a smile
Who can bear failure with a positive attitude


When they break both your legs
During tough times


Don't come running to me
Don't ask for help from me


And baby if you were drowning
Even if you're in dire need


I'd throw you a funeral wreath
I won't help but instead make it worse for you


When I burn this place down
When I ruin everything


I'll make sure you're around
I want you to witness it all


Girl, I want you to see
I want you to feel helpless


The big smile on my face
The joy I feel in this moment


As I hitch a ride out of town
I'm leaving this place


Well, I ain't gonna come to your party
I won't celebrate with you


But baby, I'm sure gonna dance on your grave
But I'll definitely celebrate your demise


It's the least I can do
I owe you this much revenge


For the time that I spent as your slave
For the servitude you forced upon me




Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mademoiselle Jezebel

Awesome lyrics!!!!

calmmonster

just remember that everyone loves a good kid who can lose with a smile on his face

Fran Prijatelj

yeeeea, i love this song!!!! thanks!!

IAmKrow

"When they break both your legs don't come running to me" LOL

David McLintock

I'm in a pub drinking Bishps Finger listening to Firewater, while the Carlsberg drinkers put Meatloaf on the jukebox. And I'm the anti-social one?
I can live with that.

David McLintock

Amazing, exactly the same, 10 months later. At least it stops me talking about work.

ziggy pop

seen them ony friend bday . ten to get in buy there coasters cds etc . stickers.. great band

Damon Kelly

Heh, yup...Thats about the jist of it.  Thanks Todd, once again, you said it for me.

Yuri Yanov

Umm.. Always heard "I'd throw you a funeral wreath" as "I'd blow you a funeral riff".
Though, throwing the wreath sounds sound contextually correct and it's more like "wreath" pronounced here, unlike my worn tape.

David McLintock

I'd blow you a funeral riff is brilliant

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