“Canoe” by Rare Americans describes the struggles and challenges one might face throughout their life as they grow up, through the metaphor of a canoe ride that is especially emphasized in the chorus and second verse of the song.
It also encourages the listener to remain true to themselves and hold...
[Verse 1]
The milk from mother's breast
Gave you the start, that was the best
Food on your face, your hair a mess
Flying colors, life's little tests
Confident and strong, stickin' out your chest
The best to come, the worst a guess
[Pre-Chorus]
Am I livin' a lie? I ask me, myself, and I
Cause everybody knows that courage comes and goes
Brother, hold on for the next supply
[Chorus]
To thine own self, be true
In this life it's all up to you
You paddle your own canoe
You paddle your own canoe
Your own canoe
(Do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
Your own canoe
(Do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
[Verse 2]
Eddies and kicks, rapids turn six
Then you remiss, chances you missed
Wind hits your sails, start to prevail
Suddenly assailed, wind, rain and hail
You just missed your stride, bride by your side
Smooth ride, systems collide
It’s your first real strife
Pretty little life change overnight
Real fuckin' fight, times shuck and jive
Odds spike and dive, hornets now fully out of the hive
This too shall pass, ride it out on your raft
Just never know how long these things'll last
Last, last, last, last, last
[Pre-Chorus]
Am I livin' a lie? I ask me, myself, and I
Cause everybody knows that courage comes and goes
Brother, hold on for the next supply
[Chorus]
(Do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
Your own canoe
(Do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
[Bridge]
I'm not gonna ride with you
Mister, I ain't following you
No matter what you say, promise or do
Talk until your face is blue
[Chorus]
To thine own self, be true
In this life it's all up to you
You paddle your own canoe
You paddle your own canoe
Your own canoe
(Do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
Your own canoe
(Do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
[Outro]
I'm in the middle of the jungle man, I'm right in the throngs
All kinds of little animals yellin', telling me I'm wrong
'Kay, maybe they're right? Nah, I should say sorry to myself
Those itty-bitty fucks can't fuck up my good mental health
The winds of change are so strong, man, they need names
Like tornadoes, cyclones and hurricanes
Canoe was written by Rare Americans.
Canoe was produced by Rare Americans & Ben Kaplan.
Rare Americans released Canoe on Fri Nov 09 2018.