The line-up, in case you haven’t been paying attention: Jon Langford (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts), Steve Goulding (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Graham Parker & the Rumour), Alan Doughty (Jesus Jones), Deano (Dollar Store, Wreck), Tracey Dear (World’s Greatest Living Englishman), and Marc Durnate (KMFDM).
In a world of corporate-sponsored tours by lame-o alt-rockers complaining about their hotel suites and “country” stars who owe more to Boston than Bakersfield, the Wacos go out every night and play as if their lives depended on it. Their shows at SXSW and CMJ are legendary, and every year threaten to actually collapse under the weight of their runaway brilliance. If you’re not drunk, sweaty and out of money at the end of one of their shows, then brother, we pity you.
Their mix of hellfire country and mournful punk truly inspire. They are working to save music so you don’t have to.
“The band’s songbook is filled with political parables fused to a lost highway aesthetic and loads of black humor…pass the bottle and turn up the jukebox.” Time Out Chicago
For More Information, go to www.bloodshotrecords.com
Walking on Hell's Roof Looking at the Flowers
Waco Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is a loser’s song
I took this job in the summer
Never saw the winter rollin’ on
Never thought it would end in a second
A burned out smoking wreck
Expectations & ambitions
We’re just a rope around my neck
Saw my dreams die in the dust
Now I’m walking on hell’s roof looking at the flowers
All in bloom, red yellow & blue
So sweet & true, nothing better to do
I’m not hiding come and find me
What am I doing, there’s no need to remind me
I’m walking on hell’s roof looking at the flowers
In the A to B & the miles per hour
Keeping out of reach of that higher power
Where the bees are buzzing in the April showers
The spoils belong to the victor
This is a consolation song
Your life is science fiction
A flash of light & you’ll be gone
No more trials & no more trouble
Bad luck & bursting bubbles
Walking on hell’s roof looking at the flowers x2
We’re not hiding come & find us
What are we doing there’s no need to remind us
Walking on hell’s roof…. x4
The Waco Brothers' song "Walking on Hell's Roof Looking at the Flowers" is a reflection on life during hard and trying times. The lyrics speak of the struggle of everyday life, where the spoils belong to the victor, and history is written by the winner. The singer laments the loss of his dreams and the expectations and ambitions that he was once carrying, which only became a rope around his neck. He now finds himself walking on hell's roof, staring at the flowers in bloom, which is symbolic of finding hope and beauty even in the most difficult of times. The chorus of the song reinforces this message of hope, reminding people that sometimes it's important to stop and admire the beauty around them in the face of adversity.
The song invokes imagery of springtime where the bees are buzzing, April showers are falling, and the flowers are blooming. The lyrics reflect on how life is fleeting and that bad luck and bursting bubbles are inevitable. The poet, however, keeps his focus on the beauty of the moment, and encourages his listeners to do the same. The song has a deep message of hope and perseverance, reminding listeners to never give up and to find happiness in the smallest of things.
Line by Line Meaning
History is written by the winner
The narrative of past events is often shaped by those who came out on top
This is a loser’s song
The song is meant to speak for those who have lost out on life's opportunities
I took this job in the summer
I found employment during a period of light-heartedness and carefree living
Never saw the winter rollin’ on
I was oblivious to the hardships that were on the horizon
Never thought it would end in a second
I never imagined that my good fortune would disappear in an instant
A burned out smoking wreck
My life has become a ruin, reduced to cinders and ash
Expectations & ambitions
My hopes and aspirations were nothing more than a noose around my neck
We’re just a rope around my neck
My dreams have become a burden, weighing me down and restricting my movement
Broke my back to earn a crust
I put in strenuous effort to make a living
Saw my dreams die in the dust
My aspirations crumbled before my eyes, leaving me with nothing but disappointment
Now I’m walking on hell’s roof looking at the flowers
Despite my tough circumstances, I am still able to appreciate the beauty around me
All in bloom, red yellow & blue
The flowers are a vivid and colorful array of life amidst the drabness and death surrounding me
So sweet & true, nothing better to do
The flowers are pure and authentic, reminding me of the simple joys in life
I’m not hiding come and find me
I am not trying to avoid the struggles and difficulties I am facing
What am I doing, there’s no need to remind me
I am fully aware of my dire circumstances
In the A to B & the miles per hour
In the routine and monotony of everyday life
Keeping out of reach of that higher power
Avoiding being controlled by external forces
Where the bees are buzzing in the April showers
In the midst of life's activity and growth
The spoils belong to the victor
The rewards go to those who come out on top
This is a consolation song
The song offers a small comfort to those who have lost out in life
Your life is science fiction
Your existence is like a fanciful, made-up story
A flash of light & you’ll be gone
Life is fleeting and can disappear in an instant
No more trials & no more trouble
Death is a release from life's struggles and difficulties
Bad luck & bursting bubbles
My hopes and plans have been met with unfortunate circumstances, leaving me with nothing
Walking on hell’s roof looking at the flowers x2
Despite being surrounded by destruction and devastation, I am still able to find hope and wonder in the world
We’re not hiding come & find us
We are not trying to evade our problems, but rather face them head-on
What are we doing there’s no need to remind us
We are fully aware of the difficulties we face
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charles Marks
loved it....walking on hell's roof looking at the flowers! ! ! loved the violin licks too....
Mary Myers
My poet friends, how did I miss this one?
bigeasybri
If you listen closely, he says her name a couple of times during the song... once before the solo and once at the very end... it's Jean Cook.
Alman Nab
coool
Muskie McKay
When did the Waco Brothers add a woman fiddle player to the band? I've seen her in a couple clips on YouTube, who is she?
Stephen Kallai
How can an acoustic fiddle be louder than the electric guitar? Y'all need to work on your mix.
Music Fog
The fiddle is not recorded acoustically, and it is the "star" instrument of the song. You'll notice that she played a solo while the electric guitarist did not. Plus, the intended tone of the electric guitar is thin and distorted...more suitable to sit back in the mix. But music and mixes are subjective...you're completely right with your statement, too. - Aaron Lee, Music Fog Audio Engineer