He and his friends formed the country rock ensemble Abbittibbi in the 1970s. Desjardins played piano, guitar, and sang. When the group disbanded in 1982, Desjardins pursued a solo career.
He also found work scoring films, especially documentaries. This involvement in the Quebec film industry even led him to co-direct a number of feature length documentaries. As well as his singing career, he is well known for his environmental activism.
The King is Dead
Richard Desjardins Lyrics
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Just like a fall ball!
Oh let's get stoned
Once and for all!
Powder powder oh my! my!
What's the matter in the sky?
The king is dead, mama oh
The king is dead
« Long dead the king! »
Fuck a bird and blue the sky
Queeny, queeny, free the slaves
And set the fire to the jail
Bing! Bang! Bang! your royalty!
Piss and laugh, miserere!
It was yours
And now it's mine
Harvest time
And pourin' wine
Beggar's bag full of bills
Pumpkin rollin' down the hill
And l'll be countin' up to one
And give the people what they want
The lyrics to Richard Desjardins's song The King is Dead start with a call for indulgence, inviting the listeners to get drunk and high. Amidst the allure of hedonistic pleasures, the lyrics take a turn towards a surrealistic and somber note, questioning the events in the sky and declaring the death of the king. The following lines seem to suggest that the subjects have gained freedom, perhaps by overthrowing the monarchy, and now have the power to set the jail on fire and mock the royalty. The lyrics then take a reflective turn, acknowledging the change of power and possession, referencing the harvest time, and a pumpkin rolling down the hill, perhaps signifying the fall of the monarchy. Finally, the lyrics end on a hopeful note, promising to give the people what they want.
The symbolism and imagery in the lyrics are open to interpretation. The call to indulge, followed by a perspective that reflects on the consequences of gaining power, hints at the cyclical nature of human progress. The death of the king, and the subsequent mocking of the royalty, suggests an anti-establishment sentiment, and the pumpkin rolling down the hill could signify the fall and eventual disintegration of a powerful institution. The hopeful note suggests a new beginning, a chance to give the people what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh let's get drunk
Let's forget our worries and responsibilities by indulging in alcohol
Just like a fall ball!
Drinking alcohol to the point of getting drunk, just like the way leaves fall down from trees in autumn without inhibition
Oh let's get stoned
Let's also consume marijuana to experience its euphoric effects
Once and for all!
Let's commit fully to this experience to the very end
Powder powder oh my! my!
A reference to cocaine, expressing excitement and eagerness to use. It could also imply the dangers of drug addiction
What's the matter in the sky?
A metaphorical question suggesting uncertainty and confusion about what lies ahead
The king is dead, mama oh
The end of a reign, an era, or a tradition
The king is dead
Reinforcing the previous statement, emphasizing the finality of the end
Well mama says
Introducing wisdom, guidance or opinions from a reliable female figure
« Long dead the king! »
Supporting the idea that the king's death was inevitable, and perhaps necessary for progress or change
Fuck a bird and blue the sky
A vulgar, nonsensical phrase that could represent defiance or disillusionment towards rules, norms or authority
Queeny, queeny, free the slaves
A call for liberating people from oppression, with a slight hint of mocking the monarchy
And set the fire to the jail
A dramatic statement calling for burning down the prison system, which could symbolize various forms of societal oppression
Bing! Bang! Bang! your royalty!
A sarcastic or satirical way of saying that the royal family is no longer respectable or powerful
Piss and laugh, miserere!
A confusing phrase suggesting that one should enjoy life and not take it too seriously, while also acknowledging the inevitability of suffering
It was yours
Acknowledging that something belonged to someone else in the past
And now it's mine
Asserting ownership or control over something that previously belonged to someone else
Harvest time
A metaphorical reference to reaping the rewards of one's labor or investments
And pourin' wine
Celebrating with alcohol, which is usually associated with joy, abundance, and hedonism
Beggar's bag full of bills
An ironic phrase suggesting that even the poor can have a lot of money, which could imply that wealth is not a reliable indicator of happiness or success
Pumpkin rollin' down the hill
A lighthearted, somewhat random image that could either refer to Halloween traditions or the unpredictable twists and turns of life
And l'll be countin' up to one
A metaphorical statement suggesting that the singer is focused on a single goal or purpose, despite the chaos and distractions around him
And give the people what they want
A more optimistic and altruistic statement, suggesting that the singer wants to serve others and make them happy
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD DESJARDINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind