Their music is strongly influenced by bluegrass sounds, as well as forays into rock, pure improv, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, reggae, and occasional psychedelia.
Sirens
String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Which house is it gonna be
The wailing and crying comes closer still
Its on our street today
A roll of the dice fate comes a knocking
And takes one more away
For all of their careful planning
Never thought it could end this way
(chorus)
I just want to say I love you
And make sure you feel it everyday
'Cause if today had been my last chance
It's just something I wanted to say
But this is not my time to go
Grace has brought us another day
But if tomarrow were to bring my turn
What would I leave unsaid?
What would I leave undone?
What would I leave behind?
(chorus)
X2
The song Sirens by the String Cheese Incident is a contemplative piece that reflects on the ideas of fate, mortality, and the importance of expressing love to the ones that matter before it's too late. The song uses the metaphor of sirens as a representation of fate that is beyond human control. The song talks about how sirens are calling for someone, and no one knows who they are calling for until they arrive, which house they will visit, and who will be taken away. The repeated line "Which house is it gonna be?" emphasizes the randomness and unpredictability of life and death.
The lyrics then go on to illustrate how when the sirens finally arrive on their street, the cries and wails become more audible, and they realize that someone has been taken away. The song points out that despite careful planning and preparation, people never really know how their life will end. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of expressing love and gratitude. The singer wants to ensure that the listener knows how much they are loved and appreciated every day. The singer acknowledges that they might not get another chance to say these things if somehow tomorrow is their turn to go. The song concludes by asking a series of poignant questions about what they would leave unsaid, undone, and behind if the final fate were to come calling.
Line by Line Meaning
Sirens are calling for someone they're on there way
The sound of sirens can be heard in the distance, indicating an emergency vehicle is on its way to respond to someone's distress.
Which house is it gonna be
No one knows whose house the emergency vehicle is heading towards, causing anxiety and uncertainty in the community.
The wailing and crying comes closer still
The sounds of distress and sadness from the emergency scene can be heard more clearly, indicating that it is happening nearby.
Its on our street today
The emergency situation is happening directly in the community, affecting those living on the same street.
A roll of the dice fate comes a knocking
Life is unpredictable and sometimes tragic events occur unexpectedly, without explanation or reason.
And takes one more away
The tragic event has resulted in the loss of someone's life, causing sadness and grief in the community.
For all of their careful planning
Despite the efforts of people to control their lives and make good decisions, tragic events can still occur that are beyond their control.
Never thought it could end this way
The sudden loss of life is unexpected and contrary to what was hoped or imagined.
I just want to say I love you
Expressing love and affection towards others is important and should be done regularly and sincerely.
And make sure you feel it everyday
It is important to ensure that love and affection is felt by those who are important in one's life on a daily basis.
'Cause if today had been my last chance
If this were the last opportunity to express love, it would be important to take advantage of it.
It's just something I wanted to say
Expressing love and affection is important and should not be taken for granted.
But this is not my time to go
Even though life is unpredictable and tragic events can occur, it is currently not the end of one's life.
Grace has brought us another day
The continuance of one's life is not guaranteed, but it is a blessing to have another day of life to enjoy.
But if tomorrow were to bring my turn
Life is unpredictable and it is impossible to know when one's time will come to an end.
What would I leave unsaid?
Facing the end of one's life, it is important to consider what things have been left unsaid to loved ones.
What would I leave undone?
The realization of the end of life prompts consideration of what things have not been accomplished that were hoped for.
What would I leave behind?
The legacy and impact that one leaves behind is important to consider when facing the end of one's life.
X2
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the importance of expressing love and the recognition of the unpredictability of life.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind