Formed in 2006 over pints of cheap beer at East Vancouver’s notoriously violent Ivanhoe Hotel, The Dreadnoughts cut their teeth in the roughest dive bars in the city. They started by opening for (and earning the praise of) celtic-punk grandfathers The Real McKenzies, and since then have never looked back. Hauling a fiddle, an accordion, a mandolin, a tin whistle, guitars and drums into every venue that would have them, they quickly became known for their powerful, chaotic live performances. In three short years they have slowly but surely joined the ranks of Canada’s punk rock heroes.
Cider Road
The Dreadnoughts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the way you want to win
Head down, play nice
All the way to paradise
Scraping and staggering until the bitter end
Oh friend, I've seen it all before
To you I implore
The only way to death
Is through the apple tree
Life is a lady's breath
Life is a mystery
Along this sacred way
We wander every day
Tehran to Tennessee
You want a piece of me now?
I am the cider king
I am the whiskey whore
I am everything
Here we go!
Along the Cider Road
I am the one
Walking beneath the sun
Condemned and free
For all eternity
I've watched your cities rise
And fall into the dust
In hatred, larceny and lust
Join it if you must
But you must remember me
When the moon is in the trees
When all your castles turn
To penitentiaries
The Dreadnoughts’s song Cider Road is an anthem to the rebellion against societal norms and the expectations society has of us. The lyrics speak to the idea of living life on one’s own terms, regardless of the consequences. The first verse talks about how one should go straight for what they want, and play the game by the rules. However, the chorus contradicts this sentiment by saying that the only way to live is by breaking free from society’s constraints.
The lyrics are full of metaphors, imagery and symbolism, such as “The only way to death is through the apple tree” which is a reference to the Garden of Eden and original sin. The song also talks about how life is mysterious and we must embrace it. The chorus repeats “I am the cider king, I am the whiskey whore, I am everything, here we go! Along the Cider Road” which references the idea of indulgence, enjoyment and revelry.
This song is about living life on your own terms, embracing the unknown, and experiencing everything life has to offer. It’s a reminder to break free from societal expectations, to question authority and live on our own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Top down, straight in
The best way to approach something is head-on and directly.
That's the way you want to win
Winning requires taking risks and bold decisions. Go big or go home!
Head down, play nice
Keep a low profile and don't cause any trouble. Stay humble and polite.
All the way to paradise
Following the rules and playing it safe can lead to a comfortable, easy life.
Scraping and staggering until the bitter end
Pushing through challenges and difficulties to the very end, even if it's a struggle.
Oh friend, I've seen it all before
There's nothing new under the sun; everything has been done before.
To you I implore
I'm begging you to listen to my advice and wisdom.
The only way to death
The inevitable end that we all face.
Is through the apple tree
A metaphor for how life and death are intertwined and cyclical.
Life is a lady's breath
Life is fleeting and delicate, like a lady's breath.
Life is a mystery
Despite our efforts to understand it, life remains a mystery that we can never fully unravel.
Along this sacred way
The journey we take through life is sacred and meaningful.
We wander every day
Our lives are an ongoing journey, full of ups and downs.
Tehran to Tennessee
A reference to the diversity of experiences and cultures that make up our world.
You want a piece of me now?
Are you challenging me? Do you want a fight or a confrontation?
I am the cider king
I am a powerful, influential figure in the world of cider-making.
I am the whiskey whore
I love and appreciate the pleasures of life, including the indulgences of alcohol.
I am everything
I am all-encompassing and powerful, capable of anything and everything.
Here we go!
Let's get started! Let's do this thing!
Along the Cider Road
A metaphor for the journey of life and all its twists and turns.
I am the one
I am unique and special, one-of-a-kind.
Walking beneath the sun
Living and experiencing life to the fullest, taking in all the beauty and wonder around us.
Condemned and free
We may be restricted or limited in some ways, but we still have the freedom to make choices and live our lives as we see fit.
For all eternity
Our actions and choices have consequences that last beyond our lifetimes.
I've watched your cities rise
I've observed the changes and developments that have shaped human history over time.
And fall into the dust
Despite our accomplishments, everything eventually fades away and crumbles to dust.
In hatred, larceny and lust
Human nature can be driven by negative impulses like hate, greed, and desire.
Join it if you must
If you feel compelled to follow the darker side of humanity, then go ahead and do so.
But you must remember me
Regardless of your choices, remember that I was here and shared in this journey with you.
When the moon is in the trees
Another reference to the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time.
When all your castles turn
Even the most powerful and impressive structures eventually fall.
To penitentiaries
A metaphor for how our accomplishments and successes can end up trapping us and limiting our freedom.
Contributed by Wyatt V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.