Father O'Blivion
Frank Zappa Lyrics
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Father Vyvian O'Blivion
Resplendent in his frock
Was whipping up the batter
For the pancakes of his flock
He was looking rather bleary
He forgot to watch the clock
But the night before
Behind the door
A leprechaun had stroked it
But the night before
Behind the door
A leprechaun had slowly stroked it
He slowly stroked it
But the night before
Behind the door
A leprechaun had stroked his spot
He stroked his spot
It set him off in such a frenzy
He sang "Lock Around the Crock!"
And he topped it off with a
And he topped it off with a
And he topped it off with a
As he stumbled on his
He was delighted as it stiffened
And ripped right through his sock
"Oh St. Alfonzo would be proud of me"
He shouted down the block
Domine vobiscum
Et cum spiritu tuo
Don't you eat my sleazy pancakes
Just for Saintly Alphonzo
They're so light and fluffy white
We'll raise a fortune by tonight
They're so light and fluffy white
We'll raise a fortune by tonight
They're so light and fluffy brown
They're the finest in the town
They're so light and fluffy brown
They're the finest in the town
Good morning your highness
Oo oo ooo
Good gosh, you're sumptuous
Oo oo ooo
Good morning your highness
Oo oo ooo
Good gosh, you're sumptuous
Oo oo ooo
The song "Father O'Blivion" by Frank Zappa is a satirical take on religious fanaticism and the hypocrisy of religious leaders. The lyrics tell the story of Father Vyvian O'Blivion, a priest who is making pancakes for his congregation. However, Father O'Blivion is not quite himself, as he is still under the influence of a leprechaun who had stroked his "spot" the night before. This experience has set him off in a frenzy, and he begins to sing "Lock Around the Crock!" This phrase is likely a reference to the religious phrase "Pax vobiscum" which means "peace be with you," demonstrating the mocking tone of the song.
As he continues to cook the pancakes, Father O'Blivion's excitement grows, and he exclaims that St. Alfonzo would be proud of him. The song ends with a chant in Latin, "Domine vobiscum, et cum spiritu tuo," which is a common phrase used in Catholic mass. The juxtaposition of religious phrases with the absurdity of the situation highlights Zappa's irreverent and satirical approach to organized religion.
Overall, "Father O'Blivion" is a commentary on the hypocrisy and absurdity of religious institutions and their leaders. Zappa uses humor and satire to criticize these institutions and their practices, highlighting the idea that religious leaders are often more concerned with their own pleasure and power than with the well-being of their followers.
Line by Line Meaning
Father Vyvian O'Blivion
The singer of the song, a religious leader named Father Vyvian O'Blivion
Resplendent in his frock
Wearing a fancy religious garment
Was whipping up the batter
Making pancake batter
For the pancakes of his flock
To feed his religious followers
He was looking rather bleary
Appearing tired or drowsy
He forgot to watch the clock
Not paying attention to the time
But the night before
On the previous evening
Behind the door
Out of sight
A leprechaun had stroked it
An unseen entity has touched Father O'Blivion in a sexual manner
He slowly stroked it
The leprechaun touched Father O'Blivion in a slow and sensual manner
He stroked his spot
The leprechaun touched Father O'Blivion in a sexually sensitive area
It set him off in such a frenzy
The leprechaun's touch caused Father O'Blivion to become extremely excited
He sang "Lock Around the Crock!"
Father O'Blivion exclaimed in pleasure or excitement
And he topped it off with a...
And he followed up his statement with something else
As he stumbled on his
As he lost his balance and fell
He was delighted as it stiffened
Father O'Blivion became aroused to the point of physical hardness
And ripped right through his sock
His excitement was so intense that it tore his clothing
"Oh St. Alfonzo would be proud of me"
Father O'Blivion thinks that St. Alfonzo, a significant figure in the religion, would approve of his actions
Domine vobiscum
A religious phrase meaning "The Lord be with you"
Et cum spiritu tuo
A religious reply meaning "And with your spirit"
Don't you eat my sleazy pancakes
Father O'Blivion warns his followers not to consume his sexually-charged pancakes
Just for Saintly Alphonzo
St. Alfonzo is the only one who should consume the pancakes
They're so light and fluffy white
The pancakes have a light and fluffy texture
We'll raise a fortune by tonight
We will earn a lot of money quickly
They're so light and fluffy brown
The pancakes have a light brown color and fluffy texture
They're the finest in the town
These pancakes are the best ones available locally
Good morning your highness
A respectful greeting to someone of high status
Oo oo ooo
Nonsensical sounds, possibly representing admiration
Good gosh, you're sumptuous
Expressing awe or appreciation for someone's impressive physical appearance
Oo oo ooo
Nonsensical sounds, possibly representing admiration
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PrimitiveInTheExtreme
What a riff, always loved it! ✨🎸✨
@John_13_35
NOBODY today can touch Frank musically! A mind fully dedicated to music and associated medium! What a brilliant composer.
@kryptonic269
Franks music It’s so Beautiful deep dark and funky
@WhiteMaster6751
Rock, Progressive rock, Jazz fusion, Hard rock, Experimental rock, Comedy rock
@defftlingo4803
This is a classical composer. Try getting classical stations to play ANY Zappa.......ahhh...the torchem nevah stops...
@davidkomen5283
Try getting any radio station to play him.
@franceskinskij
@@davidkomen5283in northern Europe they do play him a lot, that's where he actually was popular
@lee8org
I didn't expect this....GREAT!
@zeeplane154
I've always thought Fagen borrowed Father O'Blivion's idea of a samba rhythm to finish up an epic suite for his suite, Aja. I'm glad both exist but props to FZ for doing it first.
@John_13_35
Dweezil said that they had mutual admiration for each others music