The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Don't fret precious I'm heree
Step away from the window
Go back to sleep
Lay your head down child
I won't let the boogeyman come
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind to the rabble
Pay no mind to the rabble
Head down, go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind what other voices say
They don't care about you
Like I do
Like I do
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
See they don't give a fuck about you
Like I do
Just stay with me
Safe and ignorant
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Lay your head down child
I won't let the boogeyman come
Count the bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind to the rabble
Pay no mind to the rabble
Head down, go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
I'll be the one to protect you from
Your enemies and all your demons
I'll be the one to protect you from
A will to survive and a voice of reason
I'll be the one to protect you from
Your enemies and your choices son
One and the same I must isolate you
Isolate and save you from yourself
Swaying to the rhythm of the new world order and
Count the bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drum
The boogeymen are coming
The boogeymen are coming
Keep your head down go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Stay with me
Safe and ignorant
Just stay with me
Hold you and protect you from the other ones
The evil ones
Don't love you son
Go back to sleep
Step away from the window
Go back to sleep
Lay your head down child
I won't let the boogeyman come
Counting bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind to the rabble
Pay no mind to the rabble
Head down, go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind what other voices say
They don't care about you
Like I do
Like I do
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
See they don't give a fuck about you
Like I do
Just stay with me
Safe and ignorant
Go back to sleep
Go back to sleep
Lay your head down child
I won't let the boogeyman come
Count the bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Pay no mind to the rabble
Pay no mind to the rabble
Head down, go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
I'll be the one to protect you from
Your enemies and all your demons
I'll be the one to protect you from
A will to survive and a voice of reason
I'll be the one to protect you from
Your enemies and your choices son
One and the same I must isolate you
Isolate and save you from yourself
Swaying to the rhythm of the new world order and
Count the bodies like sheep
To the rhythm of the war drum
The boogeymen are coming
The boogeymen are coming
Keep your head down go to sleep
To the rhythm of the war drums
Stay with me
Safe and ignorant
Just stay with me
Hold you and protect you from the other ones
The evil ones
Don't love you son
Go back to sleep
Lyrics submitted by OwnPersonalDemon
Pet Lyrics as written by Maynard James Keenan Billy Howerdel
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Most people think it's about a corrupt government lieing to people. It's not.
That's why APC made "counting bodies like sheep"... to show that they understand how it could be conveyed as a political song... but this is also why they made "counting bodies" a completely "different" song instead of titling it as a "remix". Although the lyrics are comparable, the messages of the two songs have two different contexts.
"Pet" is actually about protecting and preserving the innocence (of our youth and loved ones) by sheltering them from the ugliness of the world.
Pet was written most likely for his (Maynard's) son. It is most likely about the personal conflict he endured sheltering his son from (not only the danger, but the lifestyle associated with) his alter ego as a rock star.
One of the reasons Maynard seems sso frustrated with his fanbase in his interviews is due to the fact that even his most enlightened fans will grab straws at the first metaphore they hear and run with it. (IE: The song Judith DOES NOT try to relay an Anti-Religious theme. It is moreso a song of admiring the strength of faith even after enduring great hardship and tragedy. Specifically his Mother who was wheelchair bound for approximately 10,000 days and remained faithful to God even after enduring that hardship the rest of her earthly life.)
If you listen to the emotion of the instrumentals (and vocals) behind the song Pet, it is moreso about the mood swings (frustration, anger, patience, love, protection) of a parent going to great lengths to protect his/her child. Even the guitar emulates a crying child. The emotional twists in this song portray that innocence is fragile and can be broken at any time if a concerned parent, guardian, or loved one does not remain protective, attentive, and cautious.
If you listen to the emotion behind Counting Bodies, it is dark, as if these emotions depicted in Pet are actually being forced upon you against your will. This is why APC even went to the extent of releasing a music video to reinforce this message. To make it abundantly clear that Counting Bodies is about government tyranny.
Maynard stated in several interviews that the difference between APC and Tool was the emotional context of the two bands, therefore implying that beyond common metaphore, one must also embrace the emotion behind the song to grasp its true meaning.
@ZenAndTranquility Ironically another poster says that Maynard wrote this song about drug addiction, so he must really be frustrated with you. As you not only tell people that their interpretation is wrong and yours is right, whilst suggesting Maynard gets frustrated with people getting different meanings from a song. Yet you are apparently "wrong" too.<br /> <br /> This shows that as an artist you either make sure your lyrics are explicit in their intention or accept that each person will get something different from the song and lyrics.