Lead singer Paul McKenzie leads a high-energy act which does extensive concert tours, including an eight-month, twenty-three-country tour in a van. On these tours they have shared the stage with Shane MacGowan, Rancid, NOFX, Flogging Molly, The Misfits, and even Metallica.
In addition to their original music, the McKenzies also resurrect old Scottish and Irish favorites, giving them a modern arrangement. Their songs have been used in beer commercials and featured in video games
* Paul McKenzie — vocals
* Dirty Kurt Robertson — guitar, vocals
* Matthew MacNasty — bagpipes real name: Matthew James Hawley
* "Little" Joe Raposo (RKL) — bass guitar
* Sean Sellers (Good Riddance) — war drums
* Mark "Bone" Boland — guitar, vocals
* Dave Gregg (D.O.A) - Guitar
* Gwomper ( Avail, Smoke or Fire.) -Bass, Vocals.
* Gord Taylor ( The Stirling Pipe Band ) --Bagpipes.
* Karl Alvarez ( All, The Descendants.) --Bass.
Float
The Real McKenzies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steal me from slumber
10, 000 sirens
Are guiding the way
I keep in hiding each day
Avoiding lightning and thunder
Another victim of insanity
Woah oh, I′ve seen it all before
And I know oh, just what you fear
Go oh, into the depths below
Because you know we all float down here
The devil knows exactly where I'm going
Sweet Jesus told him all that I have done
And now they′ve got me on the run
Guess whose true colors are showing
Hand me my pistol
I'll take them one by one
Blow the bellows
Raise the gallows
Let me hear your cries
Woah oh, I've seen it all before
And I know oh, just what you fear
Go oh, into the depths below
Because you know we all float down here
10, 000 years ago
I was the only one
The nights that passed were so
Cold and lonely
But chance would have me find
The truth I used to know
This spark of life divine in
Fires unholy
Blow the bellows
Raise the gallows
Let me hear your cries
Woah oh, I′ve seen it all before
And I know oh, just what you fear
Go oh, into the depths below
Because you know we all float down here
The lyrics of The Real McKenzies' song "Float" paint a picture of someone who is constantly avoiding danger and living in fear. The opening lines suggest a sense of restlessness and the presence of many threats, represented by the 10,000 shadows and sirens. The singer describes themselves as being in hiding every day, constantly evading the storms of life and the madness that seems to surround them. They have become a victim of their own feelings of insanity.
The chorus of the song reveals a sense of familiarity with these circumstances, almost as if the singer has experienced similar situations repeatedly. They have seen it all before and understand the fears that haunt them and others. The suggestion to go into the depths below implies a descent into darkness or facing one's deepest fears, as the phrase "we all float down here" captures a feeling of resignation or acceptance of a grim reality.
In the second verse, religious imagery is introduced with references to the devil and Jesus. The singer feels pursued by their demons, with the devil being aware of their every move and Jesus knowing their sins. The mention of true colors showing suggests that the singer feels exposed or vulnerable. They express a desire for revenge, asking for a pistol to take down their enemies one by one.
The final verse delves into a sense of history and personal discovery. The singer reflects on a time when they were the only one, suggesting isolation and perhaps loneliness. However, they stumble upon a truth they used to know, a spark of divine life within the unholy fires. This revelation may provide them strength and the willingness to face their fears head-on.
Overall, "Float" is a song that explores themes of fear, avoidance, and the recurring nature of difficult circumstances. It suggests a journey into the depths of one's own fears and a realization that everyone must confront their own challenges in life.
Line by Line Meaning
10, 000 shadows
A multitude of dark, haunting figures that consume my thoughts and keep me from peaceful sleep
Steal me from slumber
They snatch away my rest and peace of mind
10, 000 sirens
A chorus of tempting voices that lead me astray and towards danger
Are guiding the way
They are the influencers pushing me down a destructive path
I keep in hiding each day
I conceal my true self and struggle to mask my inner turmoil
Avoiding lightning and thunder
I navigate through life, dodging the unpredictable strikes of chaos and instability
Another victim of insanity
I am trapped in a cycle of madness, unable to break free from its grip
Woah oh, I've seen it all before
I have experienced these trials and tribulations repeatedly
And I know oh, just what you fear
I understand your deepest fears and anxieties
Go oh, into the depths below
Venture into the unknown, the abyss of your own fears
Because you know we all float down here
Because we all eventually succumb to our inner demons and face the consequences
The devil knows exactly where I'm going
Evil forces are aware of the destructive path I am following
Sweet Jesus told him all that I have done
Even Jesus is aware of the sins and mistakes I have made
And now they've got me on the run
I am fleeing from the consequences and pursuing a life on the run
Guess whose true colors are showing
My true nature and intentions are becoming evident
Hand me my pistol
Give me a weapon to defend myself and fight against my enemies
I'll take them one by one
I will face my adversaries individually and conquer them
Blow the bellows
Activate the air pump to increase the intensity of the fire
Raise the gallows
Prepare the structure used for public hangings
Let me hear your cries
I want to revel in the anguish and torment of others
10, 000 years ago
Many millennia in the past
I was the only one
I existed as the solitary being in that era
The nights that passed were so
Those nights were filled with darkness and desolation
Cold and lonely
I endured freezing isolation and emotional emptiness
But chance would have me find
Fortune led me to discover
The truth I used to know
The knowledge and understanding I had long forgotten
This spark of life divine in
The essence of a sacred and vibrant existence within me
Fires unholy
Sinister flames that burn with malevolence and wickedness
Writer(s): Eli Reuben Hirsch, Quincy Drew Andrews
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.