Don't fret precious, I'm here
Step away from the window, go back to sleep
Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils
See, they don't give a fuck about you like I do

Count lies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep
Count lies like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps, like sheeps

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow

Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums

Count bodies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow
Go back to sleep

Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep
Go back to

Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep,

Go back to sleep
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow
Go back to sleep

Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep, like sheep (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep
Count bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums (Go back to sleep)
Go back to sleep

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
They're one in the same
I must isolate you
Isolate and save you from yourself


Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84

Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums Lyrics as written by Maynard Keenan Billy Howerdel

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

184 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song reminds me of the Holocaust somehow. There is a part in which someone is talking, like giving a speech and to me it sounded like it was Hitler. That's not the thing that reminded me about the Holocaust itself, but the title. Counting bodies like sheep to the rythm of the war drums...is like counting all those bodies from the dead people (Jewish, Christians, gays, all those who didn't fit the category of "a perfect person" in Hitler's eyes), and of course to the rythm of the war drum is like to do with a war, but i can itrepet it as like the people were killed at a steady beat (since like to me the rythm of the war drum would sound like a steady beat). Yeah, that's what i think. and the person who is saying "Go back to sleep" is like one of those victims who were hidding during the holocaust, like, they were trying to keep the realities of the cruel world taking place at that time, but reasuring them that they will protect them, and they should just calm down and "go back to sleep". the last line however was hard at first for me to relate it to the holocaust but i got something. "save you from yourself" for me was like...'i will kill you, even though it will be hard, but i must do it so that all these things wont lead you to suicide, and your soul is dirtied by doing that..i rather see my soul go bad then see yours go bad' that's basically what i thought...i got more..but is just too much..

    FemaaraChanon September 04, 2010   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song: Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.” That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.