The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing
Frank Zappa Lyrics
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Steve vai (guitar)
Ray white (guitar, vocals)
Tommy mars (keyboards)
Chuck wild (piano)
Arthur barrow (bass)
Scott thunes (bass)
Jay anderson (string bass)
Ed mann (percussion)
Chad wackerman (drums)
Ike willis (vocals)
Terry bozzio (vocals)
Dale bozzio (vocals)
Napoleon murphy brock (vocals)
Bob harris (vocals)
Johnny "guitar" watson (vocals)
Thing-fish:
Welcome to the quentin robert de nameland video chapel of economic worship!
Ensemble: (singing)
Some take the bible
For what it's worth
When it says that the meek
Shall inherit the earth
Well, I heard that some sheik
Has bought new jersey last week,
'n you suckers ain't gettin' doodly!
Is all de mammys really wrong,
If we's wandrin' aroun'
Wit' de nakkin on?
Big ol' lips like a duck,
While we's singin' dis song,
(evil prince, people, he cain't do nothin'!)
Thing-fish:
You say yo' life a 'bum deal',
'n yo' 'up against de wall'?
Well, people, you ain't got no kinda
'deal' at all!
Now de shit dey be doin'
Down in washingtum,
Ensemble:
Dey just takes care
Thing-fish:
Dey takin' care
Ensemble:
Of number one
Thing-fish:
O' 'number one',
Ensemble:
An' 'number one' ain't you!
Thing-fish:
Oh no! it ain't you or you!
Ensemble:
You ain't even 'number two'!
Thing-fish:
(push de button, pull dat chain,
Out come dat lil' brown
Choo-choo train!)
Ensemble:
Those jesus-freaks,
Well, they're friendly, but,
The shit they believe
Has got their minds all shut,
An' they don't even care
When 'the church' takes a 'cut'!
(ain't it bleak when you've got so much nothin'? )
Thing-fish:
So whaddya do?
Ensemble:
Eat that pork!
Eat that ham!
Laugh till ya choke
On billy graham!
Brown moses, aaron, 'n abraham:
They're all a waste of time,
'n it's your ass that's on the line!
Thing-fish:
Wohhhhhh, heah me talkin' to ya, now,
It's your ass that's on the line!
Ensemble:
Do what you wanna,
Thing-fish:
Ohh! do what ya wanna!
Ensemble:
Do what you will,
Thing-fish:
Do what you will!
Ensemble:
Just don't mess up
Thing-fish:
Don't mess it!
Ensemble:
Your neighbor's thrill,
Thing-fish:
Dat's right!
Ensemble:
'n when you pay the bill,
Thing-fish:
Aww, when why'pay de bill...
Ensemble:
Kindly leave a little tip,
Thing-fish:
One-adam-twelve...
Ensemble:
And help the next poor sucker
Thing-fish:
See de sucker...
Ensemble:
On his one way trip!
(some take the bible!)
Thing-fish:
Aw, gimme a half a duzzning fo' de hotel ruim!
The lyrics to Frank Zappa's song "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing" are a satirical commentary on the concept of meekness and the idea of inherited wealth. The opening lines are a parody of the biblical phrase "the meek shall inherit the earth," with the ensemble singing that "some take the bible for what it's worth, when it says that the meek shall inherit the earth." They then go on to say that a sheik has bought New Jersey and that "you suckers ain't gettin' doodly."
The song then delves into a critique of the wealthy and powerful, with Thing-Fish declaring that "you ain't got no kinda 'deal' at all" and that the people in Washington are "just takin' care of number one." The ensemble then sings about how Jesus-freaks are friendly but have closed minds and how following the teachings of figures like Brown Moses, Aaron, and Abraham is a waste of time. Instead, they urge listeners to do what they want and not mess up their neighbor's thrill.
Throughout the song, there are satirical elements and biting commentary on society's views of wealth, meekness, and religion.
Line by Line Meaning
Some take the bible
For what it's worth
When it says that the meek
Shall inherit the earth
Well, I heard that some sheik
Has bought new jersey last week,
'n you suckers ain't gettin' doodly!
Some people believe in the bible, and take to heart the idea that the meek will inherit the earth. However, recent news disproves this idea - a wealthy person has bought an entire state, leaving no hope for the meek.
Is all de mammys really wrong,
If we's wandrin' aroun'
Wit' de nakkin on?
Big ol' lips like a duck,
While we's singin' dis song,
(evil prince, people, he cain't do nothin'!)
Even though people may judge us based on our appearance, and the way we dress, we should still be free to wander around as ourselves - with our natural hair and features. An evil prince may try to stop us, but he is powerless against us.
You say yo' life a 'bum deal',
'n yo' 'up against de wall'?
Well, people, you ain't got no kinda
'deal' at all!
If you think your life is bad and everything is against you, you actually have no deal at all - your situation is not worth any pity or attention.
Dey just takes care
O' 'number one',
An' 'number one' ain't you!
The people in Washington only take care of themselves - not you.
Those jesus-freaks,
Well, they're friendly, but,
The shit they believe
Has got their minds all shut,
An' they don't even care
When 'the church' takes a 'cut'!
(ain't it bleak when you've got so much nothin'?)
Christians can be very nice and welcoming, but their beliefs have caused them to close their minds and ignore the church's questionable actions. This is especially bleak when you have nothing to begin with.
Wohhhhhh, heah me talkin' to ya, now,
It's your ass that's on the line!
Listen up, because your future and well-being is in your own hands.
Do what you wanna,
Ohh! do what ya wanna!
Do what you will,
Do what you will!
Just don't mess up
Don't mess it!
Your neighbor's thrill,
Dat's right!
'n when you pay the bill,
Aww, when why'pay de bill...
Kindly leave a little tip,
One-adam-twelve...
And help the next poor sucker
See de sucker...
On his one way trip!
Do whatever makes you happy, but be careful not to mess it up for others. Remember to be generous and kind, as it will help others in their own journey.
Aw, gimme a half a duzzning fo' de hotel ruim!
Please give me six keys for the hotel room.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JL Rucilez
The best version of this song was performed on Saturday Night Live...
SubjectAndVerbAgreementPress
@MatUP You can find it on SNL Season 4, which is available on DVD...
MatUP
Where do I find this?
Evan Codsworth
This hits different with only Frank doing the vocals. Snide, sharp with a very small touch of finality and sadness.
Tony Hoffer
Love this version ..
pipeandslippersman
aw... i really love it when he he puts some effort into his singing to go along with the 'smart guy' stuff. bless him!
Clint Stewart
TRUE GENIUS !!!
Steve McDowall
amazing
Dallas Koivu
As you pay the bill kindly leave a little tip for the next poor sucker on this one-way trip
Louie Karam
Eat that pork
Eat that ham
Laugh till ya choke
On Billy Graham