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Sloth Lyrics
(Chorus)
Just a roll, just a roll
Just a roll on your drum
Just a roll, just a roll
And the war has begun
Now the right thing's the wrong thing
No more excuses to come
Just one step at a time
And the war has begun
(Chorus)
She's run away, she's run away
And she ran so bitterly
Now call to your colours, friend
Don't you call to me
(Chorus)
Don't you cry, don't you cry
Don't you cry upon the sea
Don't you cry, don't you cry
For your lady and me
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Just a roll, just a roll
Just a roll on your drum
Just a roll, just a roll
And the war has begun
No more excuses to come
Just one step at a time
And the war has begun
And she ran so bitterly
Now call to your colours, friend
Don't you call to me
Don't you cry upon the sea
Don't you cry, don't you cry
For your lady and me
(Chorus)
Song Info
Submitted by
songmeanings On Feb 06, 2012
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This song is about me. I know because of the title.
Some of Richard Thompson's lyrics can be obscure (eg Now Be Thankful) but I always assumed this was about war, maybe Napoleonic. "Call to your colours, friend" could be military, as in trooping the colour?
As for the title, sloth could refer to the slow tempo.
@cscheybeler It's most definitely about war, and about how it perverts the state of things so that the "right thing's the wrong thing." Things like killing and bombing that should always be considered wrong to do are considered "right" during wartime.
@cscheybeler It's most definitely about war, and about how it perverts the state of things so that the "right thing's the wrong thing." Things like killing and bombing that should always be considered wrong to do are considered "right" during wartime.
Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. It's often considered to be laziness but it is also apathy and I believe the title relates better to apathy than laziness.
The lyrics seem to concern two unpleasant events: Commencement of war and abandonment by a loved one.
The response is the same to both - a roll on the drum. The particular line, "Don't you call to me", is explicit in stating that the singer does not wish to be a part of it.
I believe there is a secondary meaning in that music and the playing of music is greater than world events in that it allows the performer to step away from the everyday realities. The song lyrics surround a much longer instrumental section and the group are known to extend and develop this section into a longer improvisational jam. I wonder if the lyric is serving the purpose of allowing the musicians to enter into the frame of mind required for that type of improvisational playing?