| Traffic – John Barleycorn Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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This tune always threw me a little. You'd assume, from the title, that the protagonists (three men) would be attempting to overcome or eliminate alcoholism. It makes clear from the start, though, that it's a futile effort, that the destruction of barley (harvesting, milling, etc) is, in itself the process of making ale. Traffic either chose a slightly more obfuscated version or reworded it slightly, but another version (below) makes the point clear, particularly regarding the ale being 'IN' a nut brown bowl, ie: a plain vessel, as one would use when drinking home-brewed ale. In the end, ale wins out over the more refined/ expensive brandy. Another conclusion can also be drawn, that the three men initially intended to start a brandy distillery but realized it was a losing battle. There are several other, more spiritual/ mythological interpretations, and many different versions. They have worked their will on John Barleycorn But he lived to tell the tale; For they pour him out of an old brown jug, And they call him home-brewed ale! Here's Little Sir John in a nut-brown bowl, And brandy in a glass! And Little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl Proved the stronger man at last! For the huntsman he can't hunt the fox Nor loudly blow his horn, And the tinker can't mend kettles nor pots Without John Barleycorn! |
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| Traffic – John Barleycorn Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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This tune always threw me a little. You'd assume, from the title, that the protagonists (three men) would be attempting to overcome or eliminate alcoholism. It makes clear from the start, though, that it's a futile effort, that the destruction of barley (harvesting, milling, etc) is, in itself the process of making ale. Traffic either chose a slightly more obfuscated version or reworded it slightly, but another version (below) makes the point clear, particularly regarding the ale being 'IN' a nut brown bowl, ie: a plain vessel, as one would use when drinking home-brewed ale. In the end, ale wins out over the more refined/ expensive brandy. Another conclusion can also be drawn, that the three men initially intended to start a brandy distillery but realized it was a losing battle. There are several other, more spiritual/ mythological interpretations, and many different versions. They have worked their will on John Barleycorn But he lived to tell the tale; For they pour him out of an old brown jug, And they call him home-brewed ale! Here's Little Sir John in a nut-brown bowl, And brandy in a glass! And Little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl Proved the stronger man at last! For the huntsman he can't hunt the fox Nor loudly blow his horn, And the tinker can't mend kettles nor pots Without John Barleycorn! |
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| The Jimi Hendrix Experience – If 6 Was 9 Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| As for the white collar conservatives, Jimi doesn't care if they think Hippies are men who look like women and vice versa. | |
| The Jimi Hendrix Experience – If 6 Was 9 Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| I think it can have multiple meanings. Firstly, in relation to formal education. He doesn't care if he makes mistakes, misreads a literal 6 for a 9, or if he's seen as an intellectual. Second, I think it refers to people who put on the appearance of being Hippies but were just wearing the clothes and following the trend. Third, mistaking a man for a woman (long hair, etc.), an obvious allusion to 60's counter-culture. And fourth, 6 and 9 together are the Yin-Yang symbol, opposite forces being a necessary part of the whole. | |
| Gang of Four – Anthrax Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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GOF had a strong Marxist political philosophy, they're commenting on the temptation to give in to Capitalism by selling out and writing 'love songs.' The spoken word line 'what goes on between two people shouldn't be shrouded in mystery' refers to the fact that 'love songs' are basically shallow but are given a false sense of significance by trying to seem mysterious (sells more albums, no doubt). It's also a comparison between love songs and political songs, which might not be a guaranteed money maker, since they require the listener to have ACTUAL depth of thought. Like many GOF tunes, it's about the dumbing-down effects of Capitalism/ Consumerism on the psyche. |
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