Big Country were a new wave/alternative rock band which formed in Dunfermli… Read Full Bio ↴Big Country were a new wave/alternative rock band which formed in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1981. The band consisted of Stuart Adamson (vocals, guitar), Bruce Watson (guitar, vocals), Tony Butler (bass) and Mark Brzezicki (drums). Adamson was a former member of the Scottish punk band The Skids. The band was best known for using the device known as the "e-bow" to alter their guitars to sound like bagpipes. Despite having 15 Top 40 hits in the UK, the band has remained a one hit wonder in the US with their third single "In A Big Country". The band split in 2001 shortly after Adamson's suicide on December 16, 2001.

The Teacher
Big Country Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We talked and smoked all through the night
You led me where I had no sight
Till birdsong broke the morning light
And I was weak with strange delight
Teacher will you show to me
The bond between the land and sea
For I am new to mystery I want everything laid out for me
All of history

All of history
You showed me walls around the world
Where seekers passed and flags unfurled
You wove a tale in silken curls
And blew the mist in silver swirls
Teacher will you show to me
The bond between the land and sea
For I am new to mystery I want everything laid out for me
All of history
All of history
Teacher will you show to me
The bond between the land and sea
For I am new to mystery
I want everything laid out for me
All of history
All of history

All of history
All of history

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Big Country's song "The Teacher" are rich with thematic elements of knowledge, exploration, and the desire for understanding. The verse recounts a conversation with a teacher (likely a metaphorical figure representing intellectual curiosity) that lasted all night and explored unfamiliar territory. The singer feels weak with delight at the revelations being presented to them. They ask the teacher to explain the bond between land and sea, suggesting that they are new to the mysteries of the world around them and seek a clear understanding.

The second verse expands on the exploration theme, as the teacher shows the singer the "walls around the world" and the history of seekers passing through. The teacher weaves a tale that is both beautiful and mysterious. The singer once again asks the teacher to explain everything to them, suggesting that they are seeking a broad knowledge of all of history.

The song's lyrics are open-ended, leaving a lot of room for interpretation. One possible interpretation is that the teacher represents knowledge itself, with the singer seeking to understand the world in a deeper way. The "bond between the land and sea" could be a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things, and the walls around the world may represent barriers that one must overcome in order to gain knowledge. Overall, the song is a celebration of the human desire to learn and understand the world around us.

Line by Line Meaning

We talked and smoked all through the night
We spent the entire night talking and smoking.

You led me where I had no sight
You guided me to places I had never seen before.

Till birdsong broke the morning light
We were up until the morning when the birds started singing.

And I was weak with strange delight
I was overcome with a peculiar feeling of happiness.

Teacher will you show to me
Teacher, can you please teach me about something?

The bond between the land and sea
Please explain the connection between the land and the sea.

For I am new to mystery I want everything laid out for me
Since I'm inexperienced, I desire a complete and detailed explanation.

All of history
I want to learn about all of history.

You showed me walls around the world
You displayed the barriers that exist across the globe.

Where seekers passed and flags unfurled
Locations where people have explored and flags have been raised.

You wove a tale in silken curls
You told a captivating story with intricate details.

And blew the mist in silver swirls
You created an atmosphere of mystique and wonder.

All of history
I want to learn about all of history.

Teacher will you show to me
Teacher, can you please teach me about something?

The bond between the land and sea
Please explain the connection between the land and the sea.

For I am new to mystery
I'm not experienced with things that are mysterious or unknown.

I want everything laid out for me
I want a clear and concise explanation for everything.

All of history
I want to learn about all of history.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ADAMSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@thepowerstation2702

4y↑12

We talked and smoked all through the night.
You led me where I had no sight.
Till birdsong broke the morning light.
And I was weak with strange delight.

Teacher will you show to me.
The bond between the land and sea?
I am new to mystery.
I want everything laid out for me.

All of history.
All of history.

You showed me walls around the world.
Where seekers passed and flags unfurled.
You wove a tale in silken curls.
And blew the mist in silver swirls.

Teacher will you show to me.
The bond between the land and sea.
I am new to mystery.
I want everything laid out for me.

All of history.
All of history.

Teacher will you show to me.
The bond between the land and sea?
I am new to mystery.
I want everything laid out for me.

All of history.
All of history.
All of history.
All of history.

William Stuart Adamson.
The Teacher © BMG Rights Management US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing.
I do not own the copyright.

All comments from YouTube:

@andiboysuzara7183

2y↑19

It’s August 2022 and i’m still listening to this gem. Nothing beats the sound of the 80’s. The awesome voice Stuart Adamson.

@charlesanddenisemoscatello5802

10y↑109

One of THE most underrated bands as far as I am concerned. That musicianship and originality is just insane. They only sound like Big Country!!!!

@stephenroche5107

6y↑4

Charles and Denise Moscatello i totally agree

@matelot95

5y↑3

With the dna of The Skids flowing freely through.

@broncycolon7020

5y↑3

They were not underrated in Alba.....and in England.....maaaaan....

@proluxelectronics7419

some people are hooooooooooarrrrrrr aboot copyight,

@gogoyubari366

What makes you believe they're underrated?

5 More Replies...

@jamesdoyle3885

1y↑8

Omg how good is this band! This track is amazing. Can't believe this and ' in a big country' didn't chart better

@reniisgod

4y↑23

They really were under appreciated in every way. An absolute gem of a band

@joemcculloch3896

3y↑12

After all these years still the best live band there existed

@eugeniobindi2714

5y↑23

What an intro,what a song,what a band,what awesome guitars..... always listening to a very wide bunch of music but this band is the one I always come back to..... everyone else just can come close...

@progd4v3

27w↑1

This for me is probably their best work along with the restless natives stuff,hauntingly beautiful.amazing band.

@frankstared

2y↑5

Among their top 5 tunes.

@catherineatkinson6519

2y↑7

Best big country song after look away reminds me of school days

@padraigsisk4057

2y↑1

Especially live version.

@finchy1971

13w

my favourite band when i was a teenager.. the sound of the guitars, the drums, the lyrics and that once in a generation voice belonging to Stuart Adamson

@JollyJimmyJohnston

9y↑41

Classic song! Still amazes me!! R.i.P. Stuart 🎶🎸🎵

@kiscokaarigan3291

2y↑4

A Melody from paradise.

@ThePistol1977

8y↑9

fucking brill

@WARRENREIDsingersongwriter

4y↑8

This band made me wanna play guitar!😎👍🏻😍🎸

@Ihad9eyes

For me , they completely changed my understanding of how a person can play a drum kit!
Cheers!

@danstar455

5y↑9

Haunting intro.

@garrymathers9

5y↑19

This is my all time favourite song from big country.

@lucidphreak1137

5y↑6

BC doing metal... LOVE IT! No better band ever was, and never will be.

@thepowerstation2702

4y↑6

Rest in Peace always Stuart 🙏 ✌️ ♥ Levent 🦁

@alternativefm328

6y↑22

Just exceptional 🎸 drums

@markserour9115

3y↑3

Had the pleasure of meeting, and getting a photo with, Mark Brzezicki.

@frankstared

@Mark Serour What a band!

@frankbaaske3449

5y↑3

Big Country war damals mit Stuart eine Super Rock-Band!!

@pA-vo7bo

4y↑4

One of my Big Country favourites!

@MegaLochgelly

4y↑8

This was them at their peak.

@frankstared

Life is ebb and flow; without the one the other cannot exist!

@djmpvae27091978

3y↑3

Big Country rocks.

@rjjcms1

Always.

@gamewinner8231

7y↑44

Musician is a title used entirely way too lightly especially today when the simple act of a DJ spinning a record or tapping a few keys on a computer to generate "music" entitles one to be labeled a musician. Stuart Adamson was a musician in the truest form and his music will forever stand the test of time.

@vector_23

5y↑5

Agreed. But the whole band were leviathans on their respective instruments. Drummer Mark Brzezicki and bassist Tony Butler were Pete Townsend's back end on his early solo work, and were seasoned session musicians in London.

Once they joined, everything changed, and Big Country became a true monster, technique wise. There was no other band around, particularly at the time, who could keep pace with their sheer chops...

@kerryrace3244

4y↑2

❤️❤️❤️❤️ Stuart Adamson

@TheAlweaver

5y↑7

Still amazing

@deirdrestewart4394

5y↑6

löve this' great sông👌

@aidzomcg6761

9y↑15

I agree timeless track real music )

@abloemsma384

3y↑8

If you compare this song with 'hot for teacher' of Van Halen, it goes so much deeper and original. Stuart really was an outstanding songwriter, guitar player, full of music talents and originality. RIP Stuart, you didn't deserve such an early passing.

@padraigsisk4057

3y↑1

Like all heroes of ours don't deserve to pass on so early but it is up to us to keep their spirit alive.

@markserour9115

3y↑1

I love BC, too. But, don't hate on Van Halen. They were entirely different bands. And NO ONE should ever question the talent of EVH!

@andersonvenite9335

5y↑6

Beautifull Song's

@owenmcgee8496

6y↑4

"all of history". I remember picking up a 2nd hand 12" of this. Never one for remixes. But I actually came to like the "mystery mix" better. Had half of the restless natives soundtrack as a b-side and then the record cracked. Then, later, when I heard something called "mystery mix" it sounded different, I'm pretty sure. That's a mystery in my book.

@Peterlisburn70

That was "Look Away" I think. I had it too.

@marcmorton1439

5y↑7

Being a Pagan I always imagine that titular 'Teacher' of this song to be elderly Druid Merlin type figure!

@kevinrogers2949

4y↑3

I think this too - the album is called the Seer remember.

@WeROffOn1

1y↑3

Ahead of their time

@bennywu9943

6y↑3

This uploading is in full length. Unfortunately in the CD of the original album it misses/cuts away the beginning's intro music for about 5 second long. This fault also appears in other best hits and greatest hits CD album of them which contain this song. Funny is that no one talks about that. It seems no one has noticed that. It is really pity because this is such a nice great song. Does anyone know a CD album of them contain this song in full length without that fault?

@jackysmith1272

6y↑1

The Best Of Stuart Adamson and Through a Big Country have the song in full.

@bennywu9943

6y↑1

Thank you for your message and information. However are you really sure about the length in Through a Big Country? I have actually tried the fragment of the one in Through a Big Country in Amazon uk, it has also cuts away part the beginning's intro music. I had previously mentioned about 5 seconds but in fact is almost cut away 30 seconds in both CD album of The Seer and Through a Big Country. I am sure about The Seer because I have bought it, discovered that and returned it to the shop. I have quite a feeling that the fragment of the one in Through a Big Country in amazon uk which I have tried is right from the starting of that track just like the one in The Seer, missing part of the intro music. I cannot find the CD The Best Of Stuart Adamson in Amazon. However I have the 7" vinyl single which I have kept in really good condition just like new, and also the sound quality of this uploading in youtube is not bad too. I will enjoy it till the moment I have found the CD that is for sure having the full length.

@keirrobinson4156

6y↑1

On the album, The Seer segues into The Teacher, but I think the actual cut-off between tracks 2 and 3 is slightly out of sync.

@Matt_10203

Its because the CD version is supposed to played as a playlist, not really picking and mixing which is a shame somewhat. The beginning of this song is at the end of the the Seer. If played together the transition should be seamless.

@bennywu9943

@Matt Thank you for your explanation. What a shame that they have made such a terrible technical fault in that CD album. Anyway I have bought their Through a Big Country CD album in which this song is in full length.

@carlproctor9101

4y↑1

Wonder why he did it my mate steve gibbons was a massive fan hes no longer with us xx

@swanseawalesmark5497

6y↑2

I'm un with out g so I need to g back to were it came from we need to g go luvn

@proluxelectronics7419

How did you get the copyright...?

@bluerfoot

6y↑3

for about 1 second I thought this was opium train by thin lizzy

@lucidphreak1137

agree.

@lesleystorey3917

Errin nanny lesley is still alive

@swanseawalesmark5497

6y↑2

My dragon should gruy not red

@COOOTER3

do some shrooms and trip to another world!

@danielfield8616

@Adam Eve 🤔... 🍄... 🦈... 🐙

@derekmcdonald8801

@swanseawalesmark5497

I'm u

@alfiekelly5914

2y↑1

Jimmy Moon palm trem. Just saying

@thepowerstation2702

4y↑12

@abloemsma384

Beautiful text. He was an original, outstanding talent, never to be equalled. There will no one be like him no more. The Netherlands

@farrelryan6509

2y↑1

A decent enough album but compared to their first two albums this one was a little bit weak and too pop like. This song here and maybe two other tracks I liked. Had big country still used Steve Lillywhite and not ditched him after Steeltown this album would have fared much better in my opinion.

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