Les Claypool, bassist of many bands, including Primus, collaborated with vi… Read Full Bio ↴Les Claypool, bassist of many bands, including Primus, collaborated with virtuoso guitarist Buckethead, Parliament/Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell, and former Primus drummer Brain (Bryan Mantia) under the name Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains (a combination of all the band members' names). They were first formed at the first Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2002. Worrell, Brain and Buckethead were there to perform with Bill Laswell as Praxis. Laswell was not able to play at the concert, so Claypool introduced them to jam with him. From this point, they developed the concept of this supergroup. Their early concerts pushed the improvisational envelope by preparing no material and not rehearsing beforehand.

In 2004 the group recorded their only album "the big eyeball in the sky" and toured nationwide in support of the album.

The band briefly reunited without Brain at the 2006 Wakarusa Festival where, during Les Claypool's Fancy Band set, Bernie and Buckethead came onstage and played "the Big Eyeball in the Sky". Claypool dubbed this incarnation "Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Baldi", Baldi being Paulo Baldi who was a drummer for Cake and The Fancy Band.

48 Hours To Go
Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains Lyrics

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You got 48 hours to go
Best start wrestling with your soul
because a Texas boy's got a big hard on for you, man
You got 48 hours to go
Better climb up out your hole
Or burrow in deep, burrow in deep burrow in deep
like a tick, like a tick like a tick, man!

Run run run run run away
And live to Saddam-ize another day
You ain't got time to shit or pray
cuz the dogs of rationale have gone astray
They've gone astray.

You got 48 hours left
You can almost smell his breath
It smells of high horse
It smells of high horse
You got 48 hours to go
And they're coming win, place or show
So lay down your money, lay down your money, lay down your money

Are you bettin' on the Yanks in the clanky old tanks?
Are you firing up the Kroner are you firing up the Francs?

When you're 48 hours done
will they find that smoking gun
Or a basket of snipe
A bucket of tripe
Some asses to wipe
It's all just hipe cuz there's oil to swipe

You got 48 hours to go

Overall Meaning

The song "48 Hours To Go" by Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains seems to be a commentary on the buildup to the Iraq war. The lyrics seem to be directed towards someone who is in danger and must flee within the next 48 hours. The singer implies that the situation has been brought on by a "Texas boy," presumably referring to President George W. Bush, who has a "big hard on" for the person. The urgency of the situation seems to be underscored by the repetition of the phrase "48 hours to go" throughout the song.

The lyrics also seem to criticize the rationale behind the war, which the singer refers to as "dogs of rationale." The singer suggests that the reasons for the war are not grounded in logic and that those who support the war have lost their way. The singer also references betting on the outcome of the war, asking if the listener is "betting on the Yanks in the clanky old tanks" or "firing up the Kroner" and "firing up the Francs." This suggests that there is an element of greed and speculation in the decision to go to war.

The song's lyrics are open to interpretation and can be seen as a commentary on war and politics in general. The urgency and repetition of the phrase "48 hours to go" create a sense of pressure and impending doom. The lyrics suggest that the reasons for going to war are not grounded in reason, but rather in personal motivations and greed.

Line by Line Meaning

You got 48 hours to go
Time is running out and action is necessary.

Best start wrestling with your soul
Take the time to reflect and make the right choices for yourself.

because a Texas boy's got a big hard on for you, man
Your actions will have consequences and someone in power is watching closely.

Better climb up out your hole
Take action and don't hide away.

Or burrow in deep, burrow in deep burrow in deep like a tick, like a tick like a tick, man!
If you choose to hide, do it thoroughly and completely.

Run run run run run away
Escaping seems like a viable option, but it won't solve the underlying issue.

And live to Saddam-ize another day
Running away just prolongs the problem.

You ain't got time to shit or pray cuz the dogs of rationale have gone astray
The current situation is urgent and requires immediate action, reasoned decision-making may not be an option.

They've gone astray.
Reason and judgment are no longer guiding decision-making.

You got 48 hours left
Time is running out and there is a sense of urgency.

You can almost smell his breath. It smells of high horse
There is a feeling of impending confrontation with someone who thinks very highly of themselves.

And they're coming win, place or show
The situation is serious and the outcome will have a significant impact.

So lay down your money, lay down your money, lay down your money
Invest fully in the outcome, put in everything you can.

Are you bettin' on the Yanks in the clanky old tanks? Are you firing up the Kroner are you firing up the Francs?
What action will you take and which side are you on?

When you're 48 hours done will they find that smoking gun. Or a basket of snipe. A bucket of tripe. Some asses to wipe. It's all just hipe cuz there's oil to swipe
When the situation comes to a head, what will be uncovered and what will its true significance be? Is it just a distraction from a larger issue involving valuable resources?

Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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