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
Inchworm
Old Man Luedecke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There’s a small incision made with deadliest precision
That lets a darkness seep into my heart
But I don’t need sureness or crave a faulty pureness
I only want a warning when it starts
I'm an inchworm walking, mesuring and dropping
When I mesure every step, I never ever guess
That every single step is all the same
And misery forgets, there was ever happiness
And happiness treats misery about the same
I'm an inchworm walking, reaching up and stopping
The journey seemed much simpler at the start
And I took a road not taken, I was probably mistaken
I've had a lover's quarrel with world
And I'm not heroic, I cannot muster stoic
But in my life I want a leading part
I’m an inchworm walking, measuring and dropping
The journey seemed much simpler at the start
On every crowded highway, every silent byway
Every victory soaked in salty tears
If I stay a springtime green, it's through a thousand dirty falls
I weep to see the wonder of it all
I'm an inchworm walking, measuring and stopping
The journey seemed much simpler at the start
I'm an inchworm walking, reaching up and dropping
The journey seemed much simpler at the start
The song Inchworm by Old Man Luedecke is a poignant reflection on the journey of life and the struggle to make sense of it all. The opening lyrics talk about a "small incision made with deadliest precision" that allows darkness to seep into the singer's heart. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the wounds we carry with us throughout life, whether from past traumas, failures, or disappointments. The singer acknowledges that they don't need sureness or perfection, but simply a warning when the darkness comes. This suggests a kind of acceptance and resilience in the face of adversity.
The chorus of the song describes the singer as an inchworm, measuring and dropping along the journey of life. This image captures the sense of slow progress and incremental growth that often characterizes our experiences. The singer recognizes that every step is important, but also that "misery forgets, there was ever happiness and happiness treats misery about the same." This highlights the cyclical nature of life and the ups and downs that we all face. The verse about taking a road not taken and having a lover's quarrel with the world adds a sense of personal struggle and questioning to the song. But ultimately, the singer affirms their desire for a leading part in their own life, despite not being heroic or stoic.
The closing lyrics of the song bring everything together, as the singer reflects on the wonder of it all. They acknowledge the often difficult and painful journey they have been on, but also the beauty and joy that they have encountered along the way. The image of staying "springtime green" through a thousand dirty falls suggests a kind of resilience and optimism, even in the face of adversity. Overall, Inchworm is a moving and insightful song that captures the complexities of life and the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
There’s a small incision made with deadliest precision
Something small and precise has caused a deep emotional wound
That lets a darkness seep into my heart
The emotional wound has caused a feeling of darkness or sadness
But I don’t need sureness or crave a faulty pureness
I don't require certainty or perfection, just a warning when things start to go wrong
I only want a warning when it starts
I just need to know when things are starting to go wrong
I'm an inchworm walking, measuring and dropping
I am moving forward slowly and methodically
The journey seemed much simpler at the start
Things appeared easier when I started out
When I measure every step, I never ever guess
I am precise and careful in my movements
That every single step is all the same
Each step feels repetitive and unremarkable
And misery forgets, there was ever happiness
Sorrow can make it hard to remember joy
And happiness treats misery about the same
Happiness is not a permanent state and does not always provide comfort during difficult times
I'm an inchworm walking, reaching up and stopping
I am making progress slowly, but still stopping and evaluating at times
And I took a road not taken, I was probably mistaken
I made a choice that was different from what others have done, and it may not have been the best decision
I've had a lover's quarrel with world
I have had conflicts and disagreements with the world around me
And I'm not heroic, I cannot muster stoic
I am not a hero and struggle to remain strong in the face of adversity
But in my life I want a leading part
I want to play a significant role in my own life
On every crowded highway, every silent byway
In every situation, whether busy or quiet
Every victory soaked in salty tears
Every accomplishment comes with its own challenges and struggles
If I stay a springtime green, it's through a thousand dirty falls
If I can maintain some level of optimism, it's because I have experienced many hardships
I weep to see the wonder of it all
It is overwhelming to see the beauty and intricacy of life in its full complexity
I'm an inchworm walking, measuring and stopping
I am still moving slowly and carefully, pausing at times to assess my progress
I'm an inchworm walking, reaching up and dropping
I am making small gains, but still experiencing setbacks along the way
The journey seemed much simpler at the start
Things appeared easier when I started out
Contributed by Austin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.