Sac Of Religion
16 Horsepower Lyrics
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what opened up my eyes to this
i'm just trying to keep 'em closed
hey feller what ya got in that sac
a little knowin' is a dangerous thing boy
please take it from me
'cause i'm gone for today boys
gone - but never far away
she won't come - an' i won't follow
shadows lick the day
i entertained that thought so much
it'll never go away
get outta here you yellow bellied snake
slither your way through town
if e'are see you again
put you in the ground
'cause i'm gone for today boys
gone, but never far away
i'll burn lovely
swoop on down an grab me round
land on me i'll burn lovely
swoop on down - jus' take off that
singeing singing gown
The lyrics to 16 Horsepower's "Sac Of Religion" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song begins with the singer describing himself as a "rompin' dead boy on a long road," suggesting that he is either a ghost or a lost soul. He then reflects on what opened his eyes to this state and suggests that he is just trying to keep them close. The next lines address someone else, asking "hey feller what ya got in that sac, is it somethin' fer me?" The sac could represent wealth, knowledge, or a metaphorical burden that the singer wants to be lifted from him. However, he cautions, "a little knowin' is a dangerous thing boy, please take it from me," suggesting that he has learned something that he wishes he hadn't.
The song continues with the singer describing his situation as being "gone for today but never far away," suggesting that he is physically absent but his spirit remains. He also describes a person he desires but cannot have, saying "she won't come and I won't follow, shadows lick the day." The last part of the song reads like a warning to someone who has wronged the singer or his community, "get outta here you yellow bellied snake, slither your way through town, if we ever see you again, put you in the ground." This could be a warning to a criminal or someone who has violated social norms or religious beliefs.
Some possible interpretations of the song suggest it is about the aftermath of a violent or catastrophic event, a critique of organized religion, or a desire for escape or freedom. The chorus "I'll burn lovely, swoop on down and grab me round, land on me I'll burn lovely, swoop on down - just take off that singeing singing gown" suggests liberation, transcendence or even martyrdom.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm a rompin' dead boy on a long road
I am a wandering dead man on a never-ending journey.
what opened up my eyes to this
What made me realize the truth of my existence?
i'm just trying to keep 'em closed
I am just trying to avoid confronting my reality.
hey feller what ya got in that sac
Excuse me, sir, may I know what lies in your bag?
is it somethin' fer me?
Is it something that's meant for me?
a little knowin' is a dangerous thing boy
Knowledge without understanding can be harmful.
please take it from me
Please believe me and don't make the same mistake I did.
'cause i'm gone for today boys
I'm leaving now but will never truly be gone.
gone - but never far away
Even when I leave, I will always remain close by.
she won't come - an' i won't follow
I refuse to follow blindly, even if she won't come with me.
shadows lick the day
Darkness and despair pervade the world.
i entertained that thought so much
I have thought about that idea thoroughly and cannot forget it.
it'll never go away
The memory and impact of that idea will never fade.
get outta here you yellow bellied snake
Leave this place, you cowardly and deceitful person.
slither your way through town
Leave without making a fuss or attracting attention.
if e'are see you again
If we ever meet again...
put you in the ground
I will not let you harm me again and may resort to violence if necessary.
'cause i'm gone for today boys
I am leaving now.
gone, but never far away
I may be gone, but I will always be present in your mind.
i'll burn lovely
I will perish in a beautiful way.
swoop on down an grab me round
Come down and take me with you.
land on me i'll burn lovely
If you land on me, I will burn in a beautiful way.
swoop on down - jus' take off that singeing singing gown
Come down and take me with you - shed your painful and oppressive facade.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID EUGENE EDWARDS, JEAN-YVES TOLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wruff
Great band. Great record.
JEZ
Hey fella, whatch-ya got in tha' sack? FUCKING AWESOME!!!
flavio marangon
scream under the moon go go wild boy