Hanky Panky Nohow
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gives you grievance now and then
What's needed are some memories of planing lakes
Those planing lakes will surely calm you down
Nothing frightens me more
Than religion at my door
I never answer panic knocking, falling
Down the stairs upon the law
What law?
There's a law for everything
And for Elephants that sing to keep
The cows that agriculture won't allow
Hanky Panky nohow
Hanky Panky nohow oh
The first stanza of John Cale's song "Hanky Panky Nohow" is an ode to tranquil memories. Cale tells the listener that when upper-class society acts in a way that displeases them, they should look back to memories of "planing lakes" for solace. The imagery of calm, still lakes plays powerfully against the nervous movement of "sacheting gentlemen". The second line of the stanza ("What's needed are some memories...") lays down a simple and effective formula for emotional regulation: reconnecting with positive memories can calm the mind.
The second stanza tackles religious anxiety. Cale states that religion at his door frightens him, and there is a sense of a personal boundary being crossed. The phrase "panic knocking" is effectively thought-provoking; it makes the listener imagine a panicked person slamming on a door trying to gain entry. Yet it's clear from the next line that Cale does not welcome this brand of intrusion. He further suggests that he's happy to ignore the "law" as it sometimes impinges on personal freedoms. The last line in the stanza features the titular phrase "Hanky Panky Nohow" again, effectively tying the whole song together.
Line by Line Meaning
If the sacheting of gentlemen
If you are bothered by the walking of refined men
Gives you grievance now and then
If this causes you occasional annoyance
What's needed are some memories of planing lakes
You require some peaceful memories of calm lakes
Those planing lakes will surely calm you down
These serene visions will bring you tranquility
Nothing frightens me more
I am more afraid of nothing else
Than religion at my door
Than having people trying to preach religion to me
I never answer panic knocking, falling
I do not answer sudden and urgent knocking or commotion
Down the stairs upon the law
It is unclear what 'the law' specifically refers to, but perhaps it means being pursued by authorities
What law?
This may be a rhetorical question, suggesting defiance or disbelief in the concept of law
There's a law for everything
It is often claimed that there is a law for nearly everything
And for Elephants that sing to keep
There might even be laws governing unlikely scenarios such as singing elephants
The cows that agriculture won't allow
This line may be an allusion to the negative effects of farming on the environment, or it may simply refer to rules against keeping cows in certain places
Hanky Panky nohow
This phrase seems to suggest that the situation will not be resolved easily
Hanky Panky nohow oh
This is a repetition of the previous phrase
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HorseGirl4498
If the sacheting of gentlemen
Gives you grievance now and then
What's needed are some memories of plaining lakes
Those plaining lakes will surely calm you down
Nothing frightens me more
Than religion at my door
I never answer panic knocking
Falling down the stairs upon the law
What law?
There's a law for everything
For elephants that sing to keep
The cows that agriculture won't allow
Hanky-panky know how, hanky-panky know how
Hanky-panky know how
There's a name for everything
For elephants that sing to keep
The cows that agriculture won't allow
Hanky-panky know how, hanky-panky know how
Hanky-panky know how
@behroozshahdaftar4209
As an Iranian who fled the 1979 Revolution, please believe me that the lyrics "nothing frightens me more, than religion at my door" resounds within me in a painfully poignant way.
@latinhellas6383
See dogs as dogs, and see through the dirt that they kick up to cover their feces.
@fuckduernederen
This song is so dreamy.
@j.c7719
“Nothing frightens me more than religion at my door” 🔥 “Hanky panky nohow, hanky panky nohow” so beautiful.
@peterzang
Thank you, too, Joe. The people who love this album are bound together in fellowship.
@peterzang
Not just his best, but one of THE best. One of my Top Ten All Timers. I've gone through 3 copies since 1973.
@gsire4348
what a song ! so sublime & (almost) fragile
@bonniebairn844
One of my favourite albums of all time. Thanks for posting.
@joshcharles7985
One of my favorites on Paris 1919-(to me, this is also the best version of the song). Everything fits so nicely and beautifully together, and often lures me into a world of wonderful creativity and imagery that's very inspirational. I've always loved the cover of this album to - very ahead of its time-(i.e. the back cover, which is like a video in itself!..;)
@annschon3105
Precisely. Well wrote too.