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
The Rear Guard
Old Man Luedecke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m bringing up the rear guard, I’m coming in dead last
Trying to find the smiles that don’t fade so fast
My hands are on fire, hands are on fire
I ain’t got no more time for all you charlatans and liars
These couches sure are comfy in the salon des refusé
My hands are on fire, hands are on fire
I ain’t got no more time for all you charlatans and liars
I fly on homemade wings up into the sun
Seems to me there’s room up here for each and everyone
Every dream I ever loved is pushing me up higher
My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire
I have a friend, Jamie, and he sang to me this verse,
"I’m so far behind that I think I’m first"
My hands are on fire, hands are on fire
I ain’t got no more time for all you charlatans and liars
I fly on homemade wings up into the sun
Seems to me there’s room up here for each and everyone
Every dream I ever loved is pushing me up higher
My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire
So go your own way on the battlefield of truth
Hold your burning hands up, the emblems of eternal youth
If love can win battles as well as lies and swords
If god is in the details, the devil makes us bored
I fly on homemade wings up into the sun
Seems to me there’s room up here for each and everyone
Every dream I ever loved is pushing me up higher
My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire
My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire
The Rear Guard by Old Man Luedecke is a song about a person who sees themselves as “bringing up the rear guard,” or being the last one to arrive at something. They are searching for the things in life that last longer than just a fleeting moment, such as happiness or joy. The repetition of “my hands are on fire” symbolizes their fervor to find these things, and their urgency to escape the “charlatans and liars” who are deceitful and untrustworthy.
The second stanza suggests that the singer has found their way to a place of comfort, but their desire to find these lasting pleasures remains. The homemade wings that they describe in the third stanza represent the singer’s desire to rise above their current circumstances and find their place in the sun. The friend Jamie who is mentioned in the fourth stanza sings a verse that suggests that being “so far behind” may actually be a blessing, and that the singer is in a position to be the first to discover something new.
The final stanza describes the battlefield of truth and the battle between love and lies. The singer urges listeners to hold their burning hands up, representing the passion they feel for their pursuits. The song concludes with a repetition of “my hands are on fire,” suggesting that the singer’s passion continues to burn brightly.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m bringing up the rear guard, I’m coming in dead last
I am behind and losing, but still trying to find joy that lasts
Trying to find the smiles that don’t fade so fast
Looking for happiness that doesn't quickly pass
My hands are on fire, hands are on fire
I am passionate and determined
I ain’t got no more time for all you charlatans and liars
I don't have patience for those who deceive and are false advertisers
Well I guess I’m doing all right since I found my own way
I'm fine because I'm following my own path today
These couches sure are comfy in the salon des refusé
I'm sitting in the comfortable furniture in the rejected art exhibit today
I fly on homemade wings up into the sun
I soar with my dreams and aspirations towards the sun
Seems to me there’s room up here for each and everyone
There's enough space for everyone's aspirations to be done
Every dream I ever loved is pushing me up higher
My ambition and love for my dreams keep pushing me higher
I have a friend, Jamie, and he sang to me this verse,
Jamie, my friend, sung this verse to me that I rehearse
"I’m so far behind that I think I’m first"
"I'm so far behind, it feels like I'm leading the disbursed"
So go your own way on the battlefield of truth
Follow your own path towards the reality that is untruth
Hold your burning hands up, the emblems of eternal youth
Embrace your fervor and passion as a sign of timeless youth
If love can win battles as well as lies and swords
Love is a great conqueror, who will win battles against lies and swords
If god is in the details, the devil makes us bored
Paying attention to the details will lead to godly rewards
My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire
My fervent passion and ambition will continue to inspire
My hands are on fire, my hands are on fire
My fervent passion and ambition will continue to inspire
Contributed by Savannah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JosephJamesScott
Love this stuff Old Man Luedecke! I heard you on the CBC and I couldn't get your song out of my head. I think I've played all your YouTube videos a dozen times now :)
Col_in_Hellifax
Just discovered this dude yesterday. Can't stop listening now.
fleumaticojoe
Beautiful music, that's what it is! Keep on old Luedecke!
yourgoes
long live the banjo, great tune! Thanks again CBC
Beverly McCormick
Great songwriter. I love your music. Thank you.
maggie dales
fabulous stuff, love it, I also play your videos over and over again
Jesse Ferguson
Lovin' these vids--more, please!
Eniko Galgoczi
Love this song! :o) Great vid quality too!
Kim Harris
When this was made I had just had my youngest son and was home nursing and stuff.
I am sad I missed live music for a while but wouldn't trade raising my kids for it.
Now two of them are old enough to come watch it with me so it all circles back.
Le Zblugg
Will be at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, QC in November. And so will I. Watching. Listening. Tapping my feet. Just enjoying every bit of it.