Dead Man´s Float
Sage Francis Lyrics

Go away, be extinct, disappear, float on
The singer tells someone or something to leave or vanish and just float away.

Yea as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death
The singer is referencing the biblical verse and suggests that they are walking in a dark or dangerous place.

We shall fear no evil
The singer is confident in their abilities and isn't scared of any dangers they might face.

For we are the most evil motherfuckers in whatever valley we choose to occupy
The artist thinks that they are the worst people around and that they are choosing to stay in dangerous areas.

Gentrify, overtake or drunkenly speed through
The artist lists a few actions they might take in the area, including making it their own or moving through recklessly.

And it's we, the hitchhikers with tired thumbs
The singer feels like they are just getting by and relying on others for help.

Often greeted by middle fingers, imagery lingered as the tires spun (it's tiresome)
The singer has been met with hostility or at least apathy before and is sick of it.

Now conserve your energy and lay face-down in the waterways
The artist advises someone to stop fighting and just give in to the natural elements around them.

Seek guidance from the sirens calling out to you from those watery graves
The artist suggests that someone should give in to temptation or danger and see where it takes them.

Bodies are on display, bloated and holding their crown jewels
The artist describes how dead bodies are floating around and holding onto their possessions.

Instead of flotation devices, they decided the house rules didn't apply to them
The singer implies that some people think they are above the rules or that they don't need to prepare for something as dangerous as drowning.

Got baptised in the name of Neptune and then died for him
The artist is referencing how people used to worship the ocean and gods like Neptune, and how some people maybe gave their lives to the ocean.

When the ice was thin, dead man's float for those who don't like to swim
The singer talks about how some people, even if they didn't enjoy swimming or couldn't swim, would still try to stay afloat in dangerous situations.

Don't fret cause help is on its way, it'll be here any day
The singer tells someone that help is coming soon and they should not worry in the meantime.

Just stay still and do nothing buddy, remain faithful, you're gonna be saved
The singer suggests that someone should just relax and trust that help is coming, without doing anything themselves.

And when you meet your maker you can explain
The artist talks about meeting God or a higher power and explaining their actions or situation.

How there was a cemetery of support behind every wager that you placed
The artist implies that someone who has been helped a lot should be grateful and talk about the support they received.

All the chorus of every deceased beast that came before is sweetly saying
The singer thinks that the people who have passed on are all supporting this person in their struggle.

"We all float down here and wait for riptide to sweep us away"
The singer references Stephen King's 'It,' suggesting that everyone is lost and just waiting to meet their fate.

To the valley of the shadow where we shall fear no evil
The artist references the biblical verse again and suggests they are entering a dark and scary place.

For we are so cerebral, we, the ghost people
The artist thinks they are smart and intellectual, but also somewhat disconnected from the world around them.

With the poke of a needle, pop of a pill, we, the pole survivalists
The artist talks about how people survive in different ways, such as using drugs or medication.

Holding onto the steeple like a lightning rod to show that we die for this
The singer suggests that some people might cling to religion or other beliefs even if they know it could be dangerous or harmful.

It's been said "faith could move a mountain"
The artist references a well-known saying about the power of faith.

Faith couldn't even move low-income families away from
The singer suggests that faith or religious beliefs haven't been enough to help people escape poverty or danger.

Biblical floods when they were all drowning
The singer references the story of Noah's Ark and how some people couldn't escape the great flood.

There's not a doubt in my mind and there's not a cloud in the sky
The singer is confident and sure of their beliefs or opinions.

There's just contaminated rivers filled with waterlogged subordinates floating on by
The artist references pollution and how it affects people around the world.

Swimming through iron limbs of the knighted stiffs
The artist describes how they are moving among the bodies of dead people who were once honored or celebrated.

The skeletal remains of false praise, the slow decay of yesterday's recycled gifts
The singer describes how people might give praise or gifts on the surface, but it might not be genuine or last for long.

They're drowning in sorrow cause they pray with clenched fists
The singer suggests that some people might be suffering or struggling even if they pray or have strong beliefs.

Shamed by the broken promise of tomorrow, the guilt sticks to the ribs
The artist thinks that people can feel guilty or ashamed because of a broken promise or lost hope.

And it's ageless, and it's ancient, and it ain't shit
The artist implies that some things might be old or important, but they don't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

When compared to the present, so all hail the king
The artist says that the present is what matters most, and perhaps someone or something is in charge.

While the paupers and peasants return to the so-called essence
The singer suggests that while the powerful might take over, the regular people will always return to their roots or basic way of life.

The war, the famine, the death, the pestilence
The artist lists some of the most destructive and terrible things that can happen in a society.

As I received you, thing of the prince
The singer is referencing a famous quote from Hamlet, suggesting that they have received a gift or message from someone powerful or important.

The worst of luck ain't always bestowed upon the old and weak
The singer thinks that bad things can happen to anyone, not just those who are vulnerable or already suffering.

We stick em, hahaha, stick em where the ocean's deep
The singer implies that they harm or betray people, and that they might be hiding something in the depths of the ocean.

Go to sleep young one, have sweet dreams of someone
The artist suggests that someone should rest and dream about something pleasant, someone who might not be real.

That you'll never meet, but you'll speak of often whenever you talk in tongues
The artist thinks that people might talk about something or someone they've never met or experienced, but still care about or believe in.

The coffin comes in the form of a canoe, no paddle
The singer is suggesting that death might come in a way people don't expect, and that they won't be able to control it.

No info, no manual, live slow, don't be so quick to storm the castle
The singer is advising someone to take things slow, not to rush into things or they might get hurt or die.

That's survival kids, put an oxygen mask inside the tackle box
The artist suggests that people need to be prepared for danger or struggle, and always have extra supplies.

Your limbs and abdomen will sense when the pressure of the cabin drops
The artist suggests that people can sense danger or change, and should trust their instincts.

Shut up when the captain talks, the secret of the enlightened
The artist suggests that people should listen and learn from someone in charge, and that the key to wisdom is silence or restraint.

Is to preach against whatever it is they practice in the dark
The singer thinks that people in charge might have dark secrets or practices, and that others should speak out against them.

We're all born free, we die by the shackles we adopt
The artist suggests that people are born with freedom, but they might choose to take on responsibilities or limitations that hurt them later on.

Enjoy your buoyancy, right up until the very last drop
The singer suggests that people should enjoy life and feel afloat or light, even if their time is limited.

The dead man's float, the deadpan joke
The singer is referencing the 'dead man's float' swimming technique but also making a pun about a 'deadpan' or emotionless joke.

The cold touch of a stranger, the left hand stroke
The singer is referencing a stranger or new experience, and perhaps suggesting that they feel awkward or cold about it.

There's no right hand man, the bedpan spill, the dead man's still
The artist suggests that there is no one to help or guide them, and that there's a sense of helplessness or even disgust.

Face-down in his own waste, while we chase
The artist describes someone who is suffering or dying, while others are simply distracted or on the move.

A shadow in the gallows of the valley of death
The singer is referencing a dark or dangerous place, and perhaps suggesting that someone is just a shadow or a ghost there.

Where we shall fear no evil for as long as we can hold our breath
The singer is confident in their abilities to survive and stay afloat, at least temporarily.

Float on
The artist repeats the phrase from the beginning, as if coming full circle or offering a resolution.