During their tours in 1974, Pink Floyd played three new songs in the first half of the shows, followed by The Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Those three new songs were "You Gotta Be Crazy" (which would later become "Dogs"), "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Raving And Drooling".
During performances of "Raving And Drooling" a recording of a DJ at BBC Radio called Jimmy Young was played after being cut up and reassembled randomly. This was Waters' idea of a man "raving and drooling" (or being insane). The lyrics of the song at this point were quite different from the ones that were to become "Sheep". "Raving and Drooling" was originally a more jam based song, containing fewer lyrics.
Both "You Gotta Be Crazy" and "Raving And Drooling" were originally planned to be on the album following the tour (Wish You Were Here), but the plans were changed and they both ended up in different forms on Animals.
In live versions from 1977, backing guitarist Snowy White played bass guitar as Roger Waters shared electric guitar duties with David Gilmour. The performance was almost identical to the album version except that after the ending it would give way to a slower ending with Richard Wright playing an organ solo.
Starting at 6:27 and ending at 7:08, a parody of Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd...") is spoken in the background by means of a vocoder, with the words changed to suit the subject of the song.
Originally (during live shows) this was performed by Nick Mason, but on the album this was done by an anonymous roadie.
The lyrics spoken in the background are:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me down to lie, Through pastures green, He leadeth me the silent waters by. With bright knives, He releaseth my soul. He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places. He converteth me to lamb cutlets. For lo! He hath great power and great hunger. When cometh the day we lowly ones, Through quiet reflection and great dedication, Master the art of karate, Lo! we shall rise up And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water."
Sheeps
Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
What a surprise
The look of terminal shock in your eyes
Now things are really what they seem
No, this is no bad dream
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by
With bright knives he releaseth my soul
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger
When cometh the day we lowly ones
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
Master the art of karate
Lo, we shall rise up
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water
Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Have you heard the news?
The dogs are dead
You better stay home
And do as you're told
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
"Sheep" is a thought-provoking and complex song by Pink Floyd with lyrics that can be interpreted in several ways. The opening lines depict someone who is lost in thought and oblivious to their surroundings while feeling a sense of unease in the air. The line "there may be dogs about" suggests a potential threat, but it is not clear who or what the dogs represent.
The song then takes a darker turn when the lyrics describe a group of followers who blindly obey their leader and progress into the "valley of steel," which could symbolize an area of danger or conflict. The line "the look of terminal shock in your eyes" suggests that the followers are facing a shocking and sudden realization that "things are really what they seem" and that they are not living in a bad dream.
The lyrics then take a religious turn, quoting Psalm 23 in the line "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," but the imagery is twisted and distorted. The Lord, portrayed as a butcher, guides the sheep to their death, where they are converted to "lamb cutlets." The sheep become lowly ones, but they can rise up through reflection and dedication to master the art of karate and make the "bugger's eyes water."
Overall, "Sheep" is a compelling commentary on the dangers of blindly following leaders, the potential for unexpected danger in life, and a twisted interpretation of religion. The song is open to interpretation and leaves the listener with many questions and thoughts to ponder.
Line by Line Meaning
Hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away
Wasting your days in idleness without purpose
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
Sensing something amiss but unable to identify it clearly
You better watch out
Be cautious and alert
There may be dogs about
Dangerous forces may be present
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Having experienced trials and tribulations
Things are not what they seem
The surface appearances are misleading
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
What benefit is there in ignoring the perilous situation
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Passively conforming to authority
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
Heading towards a perilous destination
What a surprise
Ironically acknowledging an expected outcome
The look of terminal shock in your eyes
The realization of the danger causes a state of panic
Now things are really what they seem
The true nature of the situation becomes clear
No, this is no bad dream
It is an actual, terrifying reality
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
Reliance on faith in a higher power to provide guidance and sustenance
He makes me down to lie
Resting in peaceful tranquility
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by
Guiding towards a place of calm and serenity
With bright knives he releaseth my soul
The release of the spirit from the physical body
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
Vulnerability to powerful forces
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
Symbolic representation of being trapped and helpless
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger
The higher power is capable of and motivated by great things
When cometh the day we lowly ones
The day when the oppressed and powerless rise up
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
The means to achieve mastery and success
Master the art of karate
A metaphor for gaining power and strength
Lo, we shall rise up
The confidence and determination to take action
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water
Taking revenge and causing suffering for those who caused pain
Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream
Chaotic and incoherent reaction to triumph
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
The force of those seeking revenge
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Emerging from anonymity into a hopeful future
Have you heard the news?
A question about current events
The dogs are dead
The dangerous forces have been vanquished
You better stay home
Advise to remain in a place of safety
And do as you're told
Conform to expectations and authority
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
Steer clear of danger to ensure longevity
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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