1999
House Of Commons Lyrics
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Water's gonna overflow
Swamp's gonna rise
No boat's gonna row
Now, you can train on down
To Williams Point
You can bust your feet
You can rock this joint
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.
Now, don't you try an' move me
You're just gonna lose
There's a crash on the levee
And mama, you've been refused
Well, it's sugar for sugar
And salt for salt
If you go down in the flood
It's gonna be your own fault
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.
Well, that high tide's risin'
Mama, don't you let me down
Pack up your suitcase
Mama, don't you make a sound
Now, it's king for king
Queen for queen
It's gonna be the meanest flood
That anybody's seen
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.
In the song 1999 by House of Commons, the lyrics in question describe the impending danger of a flood through a conversation between two individuals. They discuss the possibilities of evacuating the area, but the singer argues that there is no use in trying to flee the flood. The flood is inevitable, and it will destroy everything, leaving them to fend for themselves. The individual warns the other that their best friend may not be able to make it and that they will need to find another best friend. The lyrics portray a sense of abandonment as if one group of people is leaving another behind to face the impending peril of nature. Despite the despairing circumstances, the lyrics suggest a sense of liberation and newfound strength in having to find independence amidst chaos.
The song is open to interpretation as to what the flood or "crash on the levey" may symbolize. It could represent a range of ideas from natural disasters, individual or societal internal turmoil, oppressive governments or anything that could result in one needing to find strength to survive in the face of overwhelming adversity, often needed extreme independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Crash on the levee, mama
There's a catastrophic event happening soon.
Water's gonna overflow
There will be a severe flood.
Swamp's gonna rise
The flood will enter the low-lying areas.
No boat's gonna row
It will be difficult to escape using boats.
Now, you can train on down to Williams Point
You can try to take the train to Williams Point.
You can bust your feet
You can also try to walk there.
You can rock this joint
You can party hard before the disaster.
But oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
Are you prepared to lose everything you value?
You're gonna have to find yourself another best friend, somehow.
You'll have to come to terms with the loss.
Now, don't you try an' move me
Don't try to convince me otherwise.
You're just gonna lose
Your efforts will be futile.
There's a crash on the levee
The disaster is inevitable.
And mama, you've been refused
You've been warned but didn't listen.
Well, it's sugar for sugar
You'll get what you deserve.
And salt for salt
What goes around comes around.
If you go down in the flood
If you're caught in the disaster,
It's gonna be your own fault
It's because you didn't prepare or heed the warning.
Well, that high tide's risin'
The water level is increasing rapidly.
Mama, don't you let me down
I rely on your strength and wits.
Pack up your suitcase
Prepare to evacuate.
Mama, don't you make a sound
Be discreet and careful.
Now, it's king for king
It's every man for himself.
Queen for queen
Every woman for herself.
It's gonna be the meanest flood
It'll be the most harmful disaster.
That anybody's seen
People will be in awe of the destruction.
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
Do you realize what you'll lose because of this disaster?
You're gonna have to find yourself another best friend, somehow.
You'll have to rebuild your life and find new things to hold dear.
Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Karenina Carado
If you come to think of it, they may have rid most of the hereditary peers, but they simply replaced them with more life peers who are chums of the political parties - ex-MPs given life peerages as rewards for their service, or businessmen who donated large sums as a bong. You’d sometimes think that the hereditary peers are way better than these political chums and cronies. The House of Lords simply became a retirement home for career politicians.
Abraham Budson
@yannick245 I disagree, the house of Lords comes from a tradition which went all the way back to the Witans of King Alfred the Great
Freedom Watch
@yannick245 Why?
Freedom Watch
That's precisely what Blair wanted.
yannick245
Still the old system had no place in the 21st century.
Rees-Mogg for PM
Exactly
Tony U
One day I want to grow up to be a heredity peer
Jon Stewart
Fits in with today's contemporary narratives.
Catherine Robillard
The green eyed god is among us
K B
I both love and hate the pomp and ceremony of the lords.