This song was actually written by Grace Slick for Kantner's album Blows Against the Empire.
A first impression might be the division between younger and older generations but it goes much deeper.
Sometimes the snake has to shed its skin, an old analogy for revolution.
Old traditions and institutions, like religion, need to be questioned and evaluated, concerning sex, gender, orientation and a number of other issues, on whether these institutions contribute to our well being or never did to begin with.
They may have once worked when we were children, to be told that our natural desires are just some dirty little animal and need to be controlled but at some point the child grows up and discovers just what he or she really is and outgrows the cocoon.
@brumus
Great reading of the lyrics. Great little song. I basically agree with your interpretation. It's interesting that equates "civilized man" with the birth of Christianity (the two thousand year reference). Kind of odd, actually, but I get it because I get how hippie culture reacted to the conservative Judeo-Christian values of their parents' generation.
@brumus
Great reading of the lyrics. Great little song. I basically agree with your interpretation. It's interesting that equates "civilized man" with the birth of Christianity (the two thousand year reference). Kind of odd, actually, but I get it because I get how hippie culture reacted to the conservative Judeo-Christian values of their parents' generation.
This song was actually written by Grace Slick for Kantner's album Blows Against the Empire.
A first impression might be the division between younger and older generations but it goes much deeper.
Sometimes the snake has to shed its skin, an old analogy for revolution.
Old traditions and institutions, like religion, need to be questioned and evaluated, concerning sex, gender, orientation and a number of other issues, on whether these institutions contribute to our well being or never did to begin with.
They may have once worked when we were children, to be told that our natural desires are just some dirty little animal and need to be controlled but at some point the child grows up and discovers just what he or she really is and outgrows the cocoon.
Bodhi svaha!
@brumus Great reading of the lyrics. Great little song. I basically agree with your interpretation. It's interesting that equates "civilized man" with the birth of Christianity (the two thousand year reference). Kind of odd, actually, but I get it because I get how hippie culture reacted to the conservative Judeo-Christian values of their parents' generation.
@brumus Great reading of the lyrics. Great little song. I basically agree with your interpretation. It's interesting that equates "civilized man" with the birth of Christianity (the two thousand year reference). Kind of odd, actually, but I get it because I get how hippie culture reacted to the conservative Judeo-Christian values of their parents' generation.