Old Man Luedecke left the big old city of Toronto, met a girl in the Yukon, fell in love, bought a banjo and fell in love again. After a couple of years of love and banjo and the makings of a brilliant performing career in sunny Halifax, he returned to the Yukon with his sweethearts. There he woodshedded. He wrote a ton of songs over the next year and a half. He held regular gigs playing banjo in a gambling hall with can-can girls and in a honky tonk called the Snakepit accompanying piano barnacle Bob. Even made an appearance at the Dawson City Music Festival. After a time, he left again for Halifax to renew musical acquaintances and record his debut CD Mole in the Ground. That CD has become a smash on college radio, was featured on CBC's Atlantic Airwaves and is a hot item in stores and at shows. He continues to live in Halifax and perform there and around the country to ever-wider acclaims. His stage show blends hokum and inspiration into powerful and fun entertainment that will delight young and old. He's still sweet on the girl he met up there in Yukon, and the banjo
http://www.oldmanluedecke.ca
I Quit My Job
Old Man Luedecke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on to your heart won liberties
And discard your store-bought realities
Don’t let them take the joy that you make
On your own
Work when you need to maybe
They do nothing more than feed you lady
Don’t let them take the joy that you make
On your own
Don’t fuss, don’t fight it no
Take that wrong and right it ho
Can always live on rice and potatoes
Take your heart’s candle and relight it
I quit my job
I’m free today
Should be proud of where I am
All my friends work their dreams with their hands
And truly this is the promised land
Don’t kill yourself about making it
Just be takin it easy but be takin it
There’s enough out there who are fakin it
Don’t let them take the joy that you make
On your own
The lyrics of Old Man Luedecke's "I Quit My Job" speak to the idea of finding joy and freedom in living a simpler life with less emphasis on materialism and success in the traditional sense. Luedecke encourages those with "bright minds of poverty" to hold onto their personal liberties and reject the false realities that come with consumer culture. He advises against allowing work to consume one's life and to instead take the time to enjoy one's own creative pursuits and passions.
The lines "don't kill yourself about making it, just be takin it easy but be takin it" speak to the pressure that society places on individuals to constantly strive for success and financial stability, often at the expense of their own happiness and well-being. Luedecke reminds listeners that there is more to life than money and that living simply can lead to true contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh bright minds of poverty
Addressing the people who come from impoverished backgrounds
Hold on to your heart won liberties
Keep the things that you have worked hard for
And discard your store-bought realities
Let go of the values that have been imposed on you by society
Don’t let them take the joy that you make
Don't let anyone steal your happiness
On your own
Through your own efforts
Work when you need to maybe
Work on your own terms or when necessary
Don’t let ‘em bleed you baby
Don't let anyone take advantage of you
They do nothing more than feed you lady
Employers only provide the basics to survive
Don’t fuss, don’t fight it no
Don't stress or struggle with the situation
Take that wrong and right it ho
Correct the misconceptions and view things in a positive light
Can always live on rice and potatoes
You can survive on the bare minimum
Take your heart’s candle and relight it
Rekindle your passion and motivation
I quit my job
The singer has decided to leave his job
I’m free today
He feels liberated after quitting his job
Should be proud of where I am
The singer is content with his current situation
All my friends work their dreams with their hands
His friends are content and fulfilled with their work
And truly this is the promised land
The singer sees contentment as his ultimate goal
Don’t kill yourself about making it
Don't work yourself to exhaustion
Just be takin it easy but be takin it
Relax and take it easy but still make progress
There’s enough out there who are fakin it
There are people who pretend to be successful while they struggle in reality
Don’t let them take the joy that you make
Don't let anyone rob you of your personal fulfillment
On your own
Through your own efforts
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheGeniusOfYoga
One of the best songs ever. A dear Canadian person turned me on to it.
@josheldridge8546
Today was my last day at my job, and I was listening to this all the way home.
@leifvernest
Five years of hard work and building up my business, and I've made it! I just quit my day job and have been listening to this all week.
@apollion888
"Take your heart's candle and relight it"
Just beautiful, man <3
@apollion888
listening again and I was about to leave the same message
@wallyosmond9204
This is the theme song every time I do this. Which is today! Thanks old man!
@julianbowron9923
Saw OML at The Trailside Cafe in PEI. Now we play this song whenever we are on the road there. This song has become our "Free in PEI" song.
@claireheffernan4575
I quit my job last week too and I have listened to this 10 times now. I love it! Oh sweet freedom! Such a great songwriter.
@andyhouston625
Take your heart's candle and re-light it. Thanks for posting this.
@Tchikanii
You can always live on rice and potatos <3 Love your music Chris