John the Conqueror
Gogol Bordello Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey John the Conqueror
Growing on the sunny side
I've heard about you
From people of a healing kind

People of a healing kind
They said your name I need to call
If I'm sick or down in trouble
Or need anything at all

So I went on a mighty
Highway byway ride
And dancing on the roadside
Guess who did I find

I said 'Hey man, what's you name?'
And he said 'Think about,
Think about it,
'cause truth is always the same'

Living and loving
Truth is always the same
Living and loving
The rest is insane

John the Conqueror
Was nowhere to be found
So I asked about him
People of the mystic kind

People of the mystic kind
Said he's no secret at all
If you broke or down and out
Or need anything at all

So I traveled world around me
And i went back inside
And dancing on my ribs
Guess who did i find?

I said 'Hey man, what's your name?'
And he said 'Think about it,
Think about it,
'cause truth is always the same'

Living and loving
Truth is always the same
Living and loving
The rest is insane

Gather round, people
Gather round here

Living and loving
Truth is always the same
Living and loving
The rest is insane

America's people
Truth is always the same
Russian people
Truth is always the same
Asian people
Truth is always the same




African people
The rest is insane

Overall Meaning

The song "John the Conqueror" by Gogol Bordello is a folktale-like story of the quest to find the mythological figure of John the Conqueror. The song tells the story of the singer's journey to find John the Conqueror, a miraculous plant that has healing powers. The song begins with the singer explaining that he has heard about John the Conqueror from people of a "healing kind." These people tell him that if he needs anything or is in trouble, John the Conqueror is the one to call.


The singer sets off on a "mighty highway byway ride," looking for John the Conqueror. Along the way, he encounters a hitchhiker who tells him to "think about" John the Conqueror's name, as "truth is always the same." The hitchhiker is implying that John the Conqueror is more than just a plant; he is a symbol of truth and the journey in search of John represents the search for truth.


The song ends with the singer spreading the message that truth is the same for all people, with various nationalities mentioned, but the rest is insane. The idea is that when people are searching for truth or healing, they may take different paths, but the ultimate goal is the same. The song encourages listeners to focus on the truth and not get caught up in distractions or unimportant details.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey John the Conqueror
Addressing someone named John the Conqueror


Growing on the sunny side
Thriving in a positive environment


I've heard about you
Awareness of John the Conqueror's reputation


From people of a healing kind
Recommendation from those knowledgeable in healing


People of a healing kind
Reference to those knowledgeable in healing


They said your name I need to call
Suggestion to call on John the Conqueror for assistance


If I'm sick or down in trouble
Implication that John the Conqueror can help in times of hardship


Or need anything at all
Implication of John the Conqueror's helpful nature


So I went on a mighty
Embarking on a daring journey


Highway byway ride
Traveling on various routes


And dancing on the roadside
Celebrating along the way


Guess who did I find
Discovery of John the Conqueror


I said 'Hey man, what's you name?'
Introduction to John the Conqueror


And he said 'Think about,
John's evasive response


Think about it,
Furthering John's evasiveness


'cause truth is always the same'
Implies that John's true identity is immaterial


Living and loving
Emphatic statement of the importance of these two things


Truth is always the same
Suggests that truth is a constant in life


The rest is insane
Everything else is irrelevant


John the Conqueror
Reference to John the Conqueror


Was nowhere to be found
Absence of John the Conqueror


So I asked about him
Inquiry into John's whereabouts


People of the mystic kind
Reference to those knowledgeable in mysticism


Said he's no secret at all
Assertion that John the Conqueror is known


If you broke or down and out
Implication that John the Conqueror can help those in need


Or need anything at all
Further implication of John's helpful nature


So I traveled world around me
Journeying around the world


And i went back inside
Return to oneself


And dancing on my ribs
Celebration of inner self


Guess who did i find?
Rediscovery of John the Conqueror


I said 'Hey man, what's your name?'
Reintroduction to John the Conqueror


And he said 'Think about it,
Reiteration of John's evasiveness


Think about it,
Furthering John's evasiveness


'cause truth is always the same'
Reiteration of truth's constancy


Gather round, people
Invitation to assemble


Gather round here
Further invitation to assemble


America's people
Reference to Americans


Russian people
Reference to Russians


Asian people
Reference to Asians


African people
Reference to Africans


The rest is insane
Reiteration of the irrelevance of everything else




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eugene Hutz, Michael Ward, Oliver Francis Charles, Pedro Erazo-Segovia, Sergey Ryabstev, Thomas Gobena, Yuri Lemeshev

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found