The band's lineup fluctuated significantly over their first nine years, though founding members Steven Ronald "Stevo" Jensen, guitarist Jan Nils Ackermann, and first consistent drummer Joe Escalante remained regular fixtures. Of the original members only Escalante has remained through all incarnations of the band. The current lineup of Escalante, Dave Quackenbush, Warren Fitzgerald, and Josh Freese has remained intact since 1990 and is considered by most fans to be far removed from the band's early 1980s incarnation. Since 2002 Escalante has released all of the band's albums through his Kung Fu Records label, with Fitzgerald generally producing.
So Long
The Vandals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the bells in the steeple too
And up in the nursery an absurd little bird
Is popping out to say cuckoo (cuckoo, cuckoo)
Regretfully they tell us, but firmly they compel us to say goodnight
To you
So long
Farewell
Good night
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight
So long
Farewell
Auf wiedersehen
Adu
Adu adu to you and you and you
So long
Farewell
Au revoir
Auf wiedersehen
I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne
So long
Farewell
Auf wiedersehen
Good bye I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye
Goodbye
I'm glad to go I can not tell a lie
I flit
I float
I fleety flee I fly
The sun
Has gone
To bed and so must I
So long
Farewell
Auf wiedersehen
Good bye
Good bye
Good bye
Good bye
The song "So Long Farewell" by The Vandals appears to be a playful take on the act of saying goodbye, which is a common practice in social interactions. The lyrics drip with sarcasm and humor as they describe the conflicting emotions experienced when leaving a pleasant environment. The first stanza of the song uses personification, as the clock and bells are given human traits, and they set the stage for the song, making it clear that everyone must say goodnight. The second stanza takes a lighter tone and expresses a desire to stay as opposed to leaving despite the need to depart, sung with the words "I hate to go and leave this pretty sight." The third verse, which is sung in German, captures the excitement of someone tasting champagne for the first time. The fourth stanza sees a few repeated goodbyes and a final farewell as the singer leaves.
Overall, the lyrics indicate that the singer enjoys the current environment and would prefer to stay rather than leave. However, they are still compelled to say goodbye and move on. The juxtaposition of the playful lyrics with the underlying sense of regret makes the song relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall
The clock in the hall is making a noise that is sad and melancholic
And the bells in the steeple too
Even the church bells in the steeple are ringing sadly
And up in the nursery an absurd little bird Is popping out to say cuckoo (cuckoo, cuckoo)
A ridiculous little bird in the nursery is singing a sad cuckoo song
Regretfully they tell us, but firmly they compel us to say goodnight To you
With regret, they force us to say goodbye to you for the night
So long Farewell Auf wiedersehen Goodnight
Goodbye for now in different languages
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight
I don't want to leave this beautiful view
Adu Adu adu to you and you and you
Goodbye to each and every one of you
Au revoir Auf wiedersehen I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne
Farewell in French and German; I wish I could stay and try champagne for the first time
Goodbye, I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye
I say goodbye with a sigh and a heavy heart
Goodbye I'm glad to go I can not tell a lie
I'm happy to leave, but it's difficult to admit
I flit I float I fleety flee I fly
I move quickly and weightlessly like a bird or butterfly
The sun Has gone To bed and so must I
The sun has set, and I must go to bed too
So long Farewell Auf wiedersehen Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye
Repeating the goodbyes in different languages
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein Ii, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maxpower6706
This album is one of the best ever by any band ever in all the lands ever.
@galleryofrogues
Jesus, Josh is such an insanely good drummer, itโs just awesome. He really gets to show off on this one, too
@BrianWelch13
Warren is doing some wild stuff on the guitar, too!
@Krissypoo508
Every Sunday night on the radio station I used to listen to, they had a punk rock show and this would always be the last song they play. So about every sunday night I would listen to this at about the same time and I loved it. But now they changed the station into another classic rock station and I'm not able to rely on it anymore, I miss it and this song.
@seanthompson3163
The edge?
@iamdaone1027
pretty epic song
@Mathertron
squeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! ^_^ i love the vandals, even though i broke my nose crowdsurfing to them back in 1998 at reading festival!!! :D goodtiems!
@xXLloydMagnusXx
wow, The Sounds Of Music actually served a purpose. I prefer this than the one in the movie.
@Changesonemack
Yup. TSOM gave AN otherwise mediocre west coast punk band some
je ne sais quoi.
But no, Rogers and Hammerstein erosion is 100 times better. Maybe 10!years of age gave you
je ne sais quoi too.
@darkmaniac11
The day is closed, another day
It's gone from us, it's gone away
it'll be back tomorrow though
we'll celebrate, hoho hoho