The Mayor and the Crook
Aesop Rock Lyrics

No more pencils no more books
The singer is leaving behind traditional education and constructing something new.

I built the city out one brick
The singer is responsible for the creation of the city.

It had a mayor and a crook
Two contrasting figures, one representing lawfulness and order, the other criminality and deception, were present in the city.

I made the crook stab the mayor then slay himself in the gills
The artist orchestrated a violent event where the criminal killed the law enforcement figure and then killed themself.

I stole the brick back and migrated east, now let's build
The artist reclaimed the brick that built the city and moved to the East to construct something new.

Every tenderfoot cadet better they be slit-throat percentages
The singer warns against naivete and encourages ruthless calculation and survival skills.

Chicken penmanship tied the thirteenth knot (Hangman)
Poor handwriting is compared to a noose, indicating the weight of the written word and its potential to lead to punishment.

I arrange panoramic of a plastic catalogue
The artist has a wide view of commercialized, disposable consumer culture.

And where wild dogs sing tailor-made lullabies tried by my offspring
A melancholy image of animals howling songs to the artist's children is evoked.

I'll bring the butterflies and he can bring the centipedes
The artist is willing to coexist with contrasting people or things, bringing beauty and allowing unpleasantness to exist as well.

And she'll bring the cadavers set em' free and let em' feed
The singer's companion symbolically brings death and decay, releasing it into the world to feed other creatures.

The devil tree penciled me in but I slept thick through my alarm sock
A metaphor for temptation or evil influences failing and not affecting the artist.

Slick Willy hid in the barn while farmer charmed the crops
A deceptive character was hiding while others worked honestly.

And I'm a warden
The singer feels responsible for maintaining order and control.

My tongue is full of glass
The singer is being honest and genuine, despite the danger of causing harm with their words.

Because I promised my friend I'd chew up the bottle If he truly drank the poison.
The artist's loyalty to their friend requires drastic measures in order to ensure their safety.

I'm alienating the mating man to the high ride, base tied, Face mine's and make God clones
The artist is separating themself from human connection and creating a new identity, possibly akin to a deity.

We can manufacture medicine Cut into 5-digit slide clock the essentials in (I'll be a bill collector)
The singer is commenting on the pharmaceutical industry and the monetary value placed on health care.

My destinies resting with red worms chewin'' off the carcass anyway Let me slay artists for tips in the penny tray
The singer does not believe in a grand destiny and is willing to harm others to make a living.

By the way if that diamond ring don't shine That's cause I bought it at the five-and-dime but don't neglect the sentiment
The artist values the emotional significance of a gift or object over its monetary value.

I'll pedal my tricycle through the f-5 logistics of a twister Soaked in the religions of a nit-picker
The artist is navigating an impossible or dangerous situation, possibly relying on superstition or ritual.

If I botched the operation I apologize (sorry) The air's rooted in carbon I'm but a mortal archer parked in amber waves of starlets
The artist takes accountability for any mistakes or failures, recognizing their own mortality and insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

I'm fresh out of Geppeddo's woodwork asylum Cedar frame, wire-bound knuckles
The singer was just released from a mental institution, possibly referencing a puppet or doll-making facility.

Let a tug of the puppeteer steer my hustle
The artist is allowing an outside force to dictate their actions, similar to a puppet controlled by a puppeteer.

Well when a page becomes a squire, re-engage, clap your wings
The singer is encouraging people to seize opportunities and rise through the ranks.

When a noble's demoted Hope it don't sucker-punch the colonies But when the catapult releases lease your claims behind the bunker
A powerful figure being removed from their position may have negative consequences for others, but it is important to move on from the past.

And fasten stinger pageant results to the public eye (glory hunter)
Publicize achievements or accomplishments to gain fame or recognition.

Is it genuine enough to feel baby felon
The artist questions the authenticity of someone or something, with 'baby felon' possibly describing a person who is immature but could potentially be dangerous.

Negotiate comradery of wills How's this my little loom
The artist is engaging in some form of communication or bargaining, possibly involving a craft or trade.

Perv surgeon with dirty dominion monitor boxes Hovering inches 'bove pertinent urchin toxins
A surgeon or doctor is making immoral decisions while observing the suffering of others.

Now y'all ain't excused from table side Till the dinner plates fly Slurping' liquid happy citzen enhancer
The singer is indicating that people are required to stay and complete a task until it is finished, possibly using humor to describe a pleasurable activity that they are required to participate in.

I got this slicky sycamore head shaker Mimic stitch and splinter entry Thereby filtering citizens hit-man prior to acts descending (tight)
The artist is describing a method of identifying or 'filtering' people who may be a danger to society.

Cats know the ambiance calm beyond comparison
Cats are able to detect a peaceful or calming environment better than humans.

Captive, passive spring loaded serenity
The artist is describing feeling trapped or passive, but having a sense of peace within this condition.

I'm trying to give this city acupuncture Shovin one-way pins in subway systems
The singer is trying to make small changes within a system in order to fix it.

Stand up where I'm layin, now that a runway vic (push) Made you go batty, spreading spawn legitimate
The artist is calling others to action, possibly causing confusion or excitement.

Spice the bishop, sever the ties, splinter the kinship
The singer is advocating for a break in tradition or authority.

See every now and again I love life but hate to admit it Cause it spreads the jinx on a sleeping cynic
The singer experiences moments of joy or positivity, but is hesitant to express it because it may encourage negative or cynical thinking in others.

I'm quadruple six plus scruples category mayhem stems So one overlooked the scene including loopholes
The singer possesses a very negative or malicious attitude and acknowledges the potential for corruption in any situation.

When Christ studies the return ramifications I'll burn the campus to impress him Then rock like medusa glances
The artist is willing to go to extreme or violent measures in order to impress or gain attention from a higher power or authority figure.

You ran the final mile before the blanks blow Home alone sippin beetle juice Just to numb and then shimmy the needles loose
The artist is describing a state of numbness or detachment, possibly due to stress or depression.

I built a castle out of fifty-two cards Plus jokers with an image
The singer is capable of constructing something impressive or valuable out of ordinary materials or circumstances.

Modern theory jars us while remaining harnessed to the vintage
The singer recognizes the tension between embracing new ideas and being faithful to tradition.

I'm mad at how far this is dishonoring Akham's Razor But it seemed so being fatigued knuckle work (labor)
The artist is frustrated with how something that should be simple is becoming complicated or inefficient.

I've patched the little leakage in the shell around my greed In case Tommy Turbulence located the matrix then impedes(ooh)
The artist has addressed a weakness in their own character in order to protect or defend themselves against future difficulties.

Whistle be in dirge bout the boogie burst classic Helen fell in haunted machines screened by similars That pagan act of suicide came to the daggers surface Due to one queen who lodged the faith inside a broken circus
A series of unconnected, cryptic images that may symbolize violent or harmful influences in the world.

Me and my stargazer from woodwork serve the furnace (right) Pittin and discoloring up the lung that stung the serpent
The singer is with another character who is fascinated with the stars and possibly practicing alchemy.

I cherish the ferris wheel revolutions Its not because the ride enthralls More simply to the fact that it still revolves
The artist appreciates motion or change not necessarily because it is enjoyable or exciting, but because it is a sign of life or activity.

Nursed in a bracket televis plastics and sacchirine (well) I oppose mass panic
The singer was raised or nurtured within a superficial or commercialized environment.

The repressed fantasy cadetts pose with a latch key demeanor Returning to find a home vacant with no similars to compare days with
The singer is describing a group of people who have been unable to express their creative or imaginative ideas and are now feeling lost or isolated.

So lets build
A call to action to construct something new or inspiring.