Dave Matthews Band – Tripping Billies

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We were above
You standing underneath us
We were not yet lovers
Dragons were smoked
Bumblebees were stinging us
I was soon to be crazy

Eat, drink and be merry
For tomorrow we die
'cause we're tripping Billies

We're wearing nothing
Nothing but out shadows
Shadows falling down on the beach sand
Remembering once,
Out on the beaches we wore
Pineapple grass bracelets

So why would you care
To get out of this place
You and me and all our friends
Such a happy human race
'cause we're tripping Billies

We are all sitting
Legs crossed round a fire
My yellow flame she dances
Tequila drinking oh our
Minds will wonder
To wondrous places

So why would you care
To get out of this place
You and me and all our friends
Such a happy human race

Eat, drink and be merry
For tomorrow we die


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

Tripping Billies song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentWow, nobody has eevn commented on DMB's leggendary party song!!?!!? This song contains a life motto used by millions, myself included "Eat Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We Die" Basically, this song is about having fun, not caring about school or work the next day, living life to the fullest, because we know that tomorrow, we could die. Tomorrow, you could die, do you want to regret not doing something?
    DMBbartender7on April 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentha this song is about when dave did lsd ha he had a real messed up trip haha its a funny story it was on storytellers check it out its funny yea this song is basicly about drugs
    DaveGod2288on April 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI heard the same thing davegod...this song is really good none the less...its just got such a positive vibe...
    dmbfan14on May 08, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI HEARD THIS SONG WAS A LIFE EXPERIENCE, A GIRLFRIEND OF DAVES SAID THE SONG OR STORY OR SOMETHING REMINDED HER OF TRIPPING BILLIES(BILLLIES AS IN HILL BILLIES). THE SONG IS IN MY EYES ABOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME "EAT DRINK AND BE MERRY" "SUCH A HAPPY HUMAN RACE"
    marielon May 29, 2002   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Commenti'm listening to this song right now and, wow, i love dave!!!!!!!!; i can't wait till 7/21 cause that's when i see him!!!!!!
    traceyanneon May 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentEat, drink and be merry
    For tomorrow we die

    Words I live by everyday of my life. :)
    BigMac72on July 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentmariel, billies is not hill billies.

    now of course we know dave was born in south africa, and in south africa the slang for police is "billy"

    thats the song title

    (love the song btw)
    deathbearon July 09, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOk well yall that think you know what this song is about ..well im sorry to be rude but yall are wrong. It is when David lived in South Africa and was taking hits of acid with some cops (billies if you will). They were all around a camp fire having a great time. Thanks -Peter
    phishhead03on July 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOK .. Phish .. your half right.
    You guys all did miss the point of the song by the way, and this interpretation is taken straight from what Dave himself says before he played the song on Vh1 Storytellers.
    This is about the first time he took acid .. he was on a beach with friends and when he took the acid he decided he did not want to trip .. but the acid got him and he decided to just go with it. They had a blast sitting around a camp fire and the next thing he knows he is talking to the cops. This song is about all the fun he had and the fact he did not want it to end ..
    peace--
    Henry
    Marlboro819on July 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentMr Cig. up there, i was just trying to make the story short for the people uptop who dont know anything about the greatest man alive. Yes and we all love acid dont we.
    phishhead03on July 10, 2002   Link

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