The band's name derives from banjoist Leonard Podolak's earlier band Scruj MacDuhk (pronounced Scrugg MachDuke). MacDuhk was a warrior chieftain who fought with William Wallace, resisting English occupation of Scotland, during the reign of King Edward I. The entire name is a wordplay on the Disney character Scrooge McDuck created by Carl Barks.
In March of 2007 lead singer and budding songwriter Jessee Havey left the band to pursue other interests. Singer Sarah Dugas joined the band in July of 2007 and is on the road with The Duhks.
In late 2007, percussionist Scott Senior left the band to spend more time with his family, as his partner, Tara Beckta, was expecting their second child. Christian Dugas, Sarah's brother and a former bandmate of Leonard Podolak, has since joined The Duhks. Other members are fiddler Tania Elizabeth and guitarist Jordan McConnell.
In October 2007 The Duhks Sustainability Project http://www.greenduhks.com was launched to raise awareness about ways to live a more economically-viable and ecologically-sustainable lifestyle. In April 2008, The Duhks performed a post Earth Day benefit in Nederland, Colorado.
In spring 2016, the band announced that they would no longer be touring. They have not released any new music since 2014.
http://www.duhks.com
Everybody Knows
The Duhks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
The lyrics to The Duhks's song "Everybody Knows" are a commentary on the realities of life, which many people are aware of but tend to be indifferent about. In the first verse, the lyrics suggest that everyone knows the system is rigged and that the good guys don't always win. The line "Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed" highlights the fact that people often hope for the best while expecting the worst.
The second verse mentions the issues of trust and betrayal, with the line "Everybody knows that the captain lied" suggesting that people are aware of dishonesty and corruption in society. The sense of despair that people feel is expressed through the line "Like their father or their dog just died", which suggests that people are mourning the loss of something valuable.
The final verse discusses the inevitability of death and the need to take an honest look at life before it's too late. The image of "a meter on your bed" that will disclose all of your secrets before you die suggests that people can't hide from the truth forever. The song ends with the repeated phrase "everybody knows", which highlights the sense of resignation and hopelessness that underlies the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everyone is aware that the odds are stacked against them
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
People hope for the best despite the unfavorable conditions
Everybody knows that the war is over
It's evident that the conflict has ended
Everybody knows the good guys lost
It's clear that those who were morally right did not come out victorious
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
It's common knowledge that the competition was rigged
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
The wealth gap widens as the less privileged remain in poverty while the wealthy become even richer
That's how it goes
This is the way things usually turn out
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everyone is aware that the situation is deteriorating
Everybody knows that the captain lied
It's common knowledge that the person in charge was not truthful
Everybody got this broken feeling
People are experiencing intense emotional pain or distress
Like their father or their dog just died
Their grief is comparable to losing a beloved family member or pet
Everybody talking to their pockets
People are preoccupied with their financial situation
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
Everyone desires a life full of pleasure and satisfaction
And a long stem rose
They also long for acts of love and romance
Everybody knows that you love me baby
It's common knowledge that you have strong feelings for me
Everybody knows that you really do
Everyone recognizes that your love for me is genuine
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
It's widely known that you have been loyal in our relationship
Ah give or take a night or two
Though occasionally, you may have strayed from our commitment for a brief period
Everybody knows you've been discreet
People recognize that you have kept our relationship private
But there were so many people you just had to meet
However, there were still many other individuals you wanted to socialize with
Without your clothes
In some cases, you may have been intimate with these people without wearing any clothes
And everybody knows
This information is widely recognized
And everybody knows that it's now or never
It's clear that it's time to take action before it's too late
Everybody knows that it's me or you
Everyone understands that a decision must be made between two choices or individuals
And everybody knows that you live forever
It's widely known that your legacy will continue even after you leave this world
Ah when you've done a line or two
This may be due to the use of drugs or other harmful substances
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Everyone is aware that the situation is corrupt or unfair
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
The remnants of slavery and racism still exist in society
For your ribbons and bows
These injustices are perpetuated to promote the vanity and luxury of the privileged class
And everybody knows
This information is well-known and acknowledged
And everybody knows that the plague is coming
People are aware that an impending disaster or calamity is on its way
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
The situation is quickly spiraling out of control
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
It's common knowledge that the human form is often used for artistic or symbolic representation
Are just a shining artifact of the past
These representations are relics of a bygone era or outdated historical period
Everybody knows the scene is dead
The culture or movement associated with a particular location or group has reached its end
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
Even after death, there will be an evaluation or judgment of one's life
That will disclose
This evaluation will reveal
What everybody knows
The hidden truths that were known by many
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
People are aware that you are facing difficult circumstances
Everybody knows what you've been through
Everyone understands the adversity or hardship you have faced
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
This may include suffering and sacrifice, similar to that of Jesus Christ on the cross
To the beach of Malibu
This may also include more mundane or superficial experiences, such as relaxing on a beach
Everybody knows it's coming apart
People are aware that something is unraveling or falling apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
This may represent taking a final glance at something that was once revered or sacred
Before it blows
Before it completely falls apart or disintegrates
And everybody knows
Everyone is aware of what's happening
Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
This is a repeated acknowledgement of commonly known facts
That's how it goes
This is the way things typically happen
Everybody knows
Everyone is aware of what's going on
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind