The lyrics describe a surreal and dream-like scenario involving bizarre characters such as an old woman with a row of teeth, a man with a Kerosene Hat, and a cook who has started fires. The narrator is caught in a strange world where everything seems unreal and life feels like a scream.

Meaning of "Kerosene Hat" by Cracker

The lyrics of "Kerosene Hat" by Cracker paint a picture of a distorted reality where the boundaries between dreams and waking life are blurred. The mention of strange characters like the old woman with a row of teeth, Kerosene Hat, and the cook who has started fires symbolizes the chaos and unpredictability of life. The repeated refrain "Everything seems like a dream, and life's a scream" emphasizes the surreal and unsettling nature of existence, where the line between reality and imagination is constantly shifting. The mention of death with "leathery ways" and a "Wickerman's fence of leathery tires" adds a dark and mysterious undertone to the lyrics, suggesting themes of mortality and the inevitability of chaos in life. Overall, the song conveys a sense of disorientation and confusion in the face of life's unpredictable and absurd nature.