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
ROCK OF AGES
The Duhks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanna see the rock of ages
When my body gives out
Gonna read the final pages
Oh, my mother is gone
She told me I should meet her
Someday streets of gold
Once my father sat down
And told me of the prophets
Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
They're gone but not forgotten
Round, round wanna go round
Wanna see the rock of ages
'Til my body gives out
Gonna read the gospel pages
Moses heard a voice
Called him up the mountain
Forty days have spent
When Moses come a-shoutin'
Round, round wanna go round
Wanna see the rock of ages
'Til my body gives out
Gonna read the gospel pages
Round, round wanna go round
Wanna see the rock of ages
'Til my body gives out
Gonna read the gospel pages
Round, round wanna go round
Wanna see the rock of ages
'Til my body gives out
Gonna read the gospel pages
Round, round wanna go round
Wanna see the rock of ages
'Til my body gives out
Gonna read the gospel pages
Gonna read the gospel pages
The lyrics of The Duhks' "Rock of Ages" are centered around a desire to see the "rock of ages" and read the gospel pages before the body gives out. Throughout the song, there are references to biblical figures such as Moses and the prophets Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The song seems to acknowledge the inevitability of death and highlights the importance of reading the gospel pages before it's too late.
The mention of the mother's passing and the desire to meet her on the streets of gold suggests a belief in the afterlife and the reunion with loved ones who have passed away. Similarly, the reference to Moses and his experience on the mountain suggests a belief in the divine and the power of prayer.
Overall, the song seems to express a longing for spiritual fulfillment and the importance of connecting with something greater than oneself. It's not clear whether the song's narrator is religious or not, but they seem to take comfort in the idea of an afterlife and the guidance of biblical figures.
Line by Line Meaning
Round, round, wanna go round
Expressing a desire to go round and round, possibly representing the cyclical nature of life and death.
Wanna see the rock of ages
Looking forward to experiencing a timeless and eternal entity, possibly referring to God.
When my body gives out
Acknowledging mortality and the inevitability of death.
Gonna read the final pages
Planning to complete a life's journey, possibly referencing the end of one's life or the end of the world.
Oh, my mother is gone
Acknowledging the loss of a loved one, specifically the artist's mother.
She told me I should meet her
Believing in an afterlife, the singer's mother encouraged them to look forward to reuniting with her after death.
Someday streets of gold
Describing a heavenly paradise, where even the streets are made of precious metals.
Gonna guide me on to greet her
The artist believes that they will be led to their loved ones in the afterlife by a higher power.
Once my father sat down
Recalling a conversation with the artist's father.
And told me of the prophets
Passing down religious teachings and beliefs, specifically those found in the Bible.
Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
Naming the four Gospel writers of the New Testament of the Bible.
They're gone but not forgotten
Acknowledging the legacy of these religious figures and the impact they continue to have today.
Moses heard a voice
Referencing a significant moment in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Moses was called by God on Mount Sinai.
Called him up the mountain
Describing the process of Moses ascending the mountain to receive God's commands.
Forty days have spent
Noting the length of time Moses spent on the mountain, fasting and receiving God's law.
When Moses come a-shoutin'
Referencing the biblical story of Moses descending the mountain with the Ten Commandments, coming down filled with the spirit of God.
Gonna read the gospel pages
Reiterating the artist's intention to read and follow the teachings of the Bible.
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.