One of These Days
Spacehog Lyrics


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(One of these days, One of these days)
One of these days is like a Christmas in April
One of these days is like a time in a rush
One of these days is like a disco on Death Row

When the music is over, save the last dance for me
What difference does it make
We all end up in the same wake
To dream of love or to dream of hate

A prince or a pauper, a doctor or a leper
We all end up feeding worms one of these days
One of these days, oh, yeah
One of these days, (One of these days) oh, yeah
One of these days is gonna take me away

And I can't believe it, no, no
How old tramp John could sleep outside one night and froze
It was in the municipal park
That he laid his weary bones down

Hey, hey, hey, who am I to pass judgement that way
On a prince or a pauper or a priest, it's all the same
So when I finally drop off this mortal rock

Was it one day too early or one day too late?
One of these days, (One of these days) oh, yeah
One of these days, (One of these days) oh, yeah




One of these days, (One of these days) oh, yeah
One of these days is gonna take me away [x2]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Spacehog's "One of These Days" explore the inevitability of death and the universal experience of mortality. The repeated refrain of "One of these days" serves as a reminder that death, like Christmas or disco or rushing through time, is an unavoidable part of life. The line "When the music is over, save the last dance for me" suggests that life is like a dance, and death is the final song. It's a plea to be remembered and loved even after we're gone.


The verses of the song highlight the idea that death is the great equalizer. No matter who we are or what we achieve in life, we will all end up the same way: "feeding worms." The reference to "tramp John" who froze to death in a park, further emphasizes this idea. The lyric, "Hey, hey, hey, who am I to pass judgment that way / On a prince or a pauper or a priest, it's all the same" reinforces the notion that our social status, profession or accomplishments, do not matter in the grand scheme of things.


Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on life and death, on the inevitability of the one and the preciousness of the other.


Line by Line Meaning

One of these days is like a Christmas in April
A rare and unexpected occurrence that brings joy and excitement, like a celebration in a season it doesn't belong.


One of these days is like a time in a rush
A moment when everything seems to be happening quickly and there's a sense of urgency or frenzy in the air.


One of these days is like a disco on Death Row
A highly unlikely or surreal scenario that combines elements that don't typically go together, like a lively dance party in a place of impending doom.


When the music is over, save the last dance for me
In the face of mortality, hold on to the things that matter the most and make them last as long as possible.


What difference does it make
A rhetorical question that implies that nothing really matters in the big picture because we all end up the same way in the end.


We all end up in the same wake
Regardless of our differences in life, we share the same fate of death and the same consequences for it amongst the living.


To dream of love or to dream of hate
Our aspirations, whether positive or negative, become irrelevant when viewed from the perspective of death and the end of our time on this earth.


A prince or a pauper, a doctor or a leper
No matter our social status, profession, or physical condition, we are all subject to the same fate of death.


We all end up feeding worms one of these days
A graphic but true reminder of the physical decay that follows death and how our bodies return to the earth and its creatures.


And I can't believe it, no, no
A statement of disbelief or denial towards the inevitable fate of death that awaits all of us.


How old tramp John could sleep outside one night and froze
A reflection on the harsh realities of life and death that sometimes prevent us from being able to control our circumstances or avoid tragedy.


It was in the municipal park
The setting of a tragic event that highlights the dichotomy of life and death coexisting in public spaces.


That he laid his weary bones down
A poetic or metaphorical way of referring to someone's final resting place after death.


Hey, hey, hey, who am I to pass judgement that way
An acknowledgement of the limits and subjectivity of one's own perspective and ability to judge others or their lives.


On a prince or a pauper or a priest, it's all the same
No one's life or legacy is inherently more valuable or meaningful than anyone else's in the grand scheme of things.


So when I finally drop off this mortal rock
A euphemism for death and departing from this life or existence.


Was it one day too early or one day too late?
A contemplation of the timing of one's death and whether it was predetermined or arbitrary, and whether it makes a difference in the end.


One of these days is gonna take me away
A reminder of the inevitability and unpredictability of death and how it can come at any moment, without warning or discrimination.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE, CHRIS FRANTZ, TINA WEYMOUTH, JERRY HARRISON, BRIAN ENO, ROYSTON LANGDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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