Jeffrey Lewis is an American singer/songwriter and comic-book artist, part of the Anti-folk movement. Several of his musical influences have been acknowledged in his songs such as The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song, concerning the song by Leonard Cohen, and The History of The Fall. Like Cohen, Lewis' lyrics are complex and literate, often combining a depressing world-view with a hopeful message and sharp wit. Born in New York City and growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan Island his songs are also highly informed by his home surroundings, with songs namechecking places such as Williamsburg, the FDR Drive and the East River.
Jeffrey Lewis was born in New York in November 1975. He attended State University of New York at Purchase College and graduated in 1997; his final thesis was on the Alan Moore graphic novel "Watchmen".
After being signed by the British record label Rough Trade in 2001, Lewis released his first official album The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane, and in 2003 he released the album It's the Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through. Lewis later released the album City & Eastern Songs, in the U.K. in November 2005. All three albums also include his brother, Jack Lewis, who wrote and sang a number of the songs. He has also performed and collaborated with fellow New York Anti-folk singers Kimya Dawson and Diane Cluck.
His latest album, 12 Crass Songs was released on Rough Trade in Europe in September of 2007. As the title suggests, it is 12 covers of the British anarchist punk band Crass. It features vocals, keyboard and recorder from Helen Shriner, bass by both John Kessel and brother Jack Lewis, drums by David Beachamp (live drummer/The Bloodugars) and Raphi Gottesman (who often plays with Jack Lewis). Shwervon's Nan Turner also contributes vocals to various tracks.
Jeffrey Lewis is a Welsh composer. After graduating from University College, Cardiff, he studied composition with Stockhausen, Ligeti, and Boguslaw Schaffer, and electronic composition with Don Banks. His early career was spent as a pianist with the Paris Chamber Ensemble; after his return to the U.K, in 1973 he joined the Department of Music at the University College of North Wales, Bangor.
The Gasman Cometh
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics
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Where will you be when the bodies burn?
Will you just watch as the cattle trucks roll by?
Pretend it isn't happening?
Turn a blind eye?
See the army convoys quietly passing by?
Heard the helicopters in your little bit of sky?
Have you ever wondered what they're there to do?
The ashes at Auschwitz are just a small leap.
When power is threatened, life is cheap.
Don't think that they won't do it,
'Cuz they always do.
But this time around, the pawns are me and you.
Pictures in the paper of soldiers in the street.
Pictures in the history books of rotting human meat.
Auschwitz now a tourist spot for the cockle-eye to pry.
Still in working order for you and I.
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Photos of the victims of gas of gun and bomb.
Inheritance of violence in the bookshelves of your home.
Don't wait for it to come to you,
'cuz it surely will.
The guardians of the state are trained
to search, destroy and kill.
The ashes at Auschwitz are just a small leap.
When power is threatened, life is cheap.
Don't think that they won't do it,
'Cuz they already do.
But this time around, the pawns are me and you.
There's people sitting at this moment.
their fingers on the trigger.
There's loyalty and royalty to make their violence figure.
Allegiance to the flag they say as they lock the prison door
Allegiance to normality is what lobotomies are for.
God, queen and country, they say we've got the choice.
Free speech for all, if you've got no voice.
Propaganda on the airwaves, here's the way to live.
Not for you and me, the alternative.
They look for peace in Iraq with 10, 000 squady boys.
Torture in their prisons and their other ploys.
They'll keep us all in line and they'll keep us on our toes.
But if we stand against their power see how violence grows.
Read it in the paper about rebellious youth,
but it's them that are so violent, it's them that hide the truth.
Stay in line, or pay the cost.
Do you think they care, when another life's lost?
The ashes at Auschwitz are just a small leap.
When power is threatened, life is cheap.
Don't think that they won't do it,
'Cuz they already do.
But this time around, the pawns are me and you.
The Gasman Cometh by Jeffrey Lewis is a politically charged song that questions the morality of those who watch destruction and violence happen without taking any action against it while warning of the possibility of history repeating it itself. Jeffery's powerful lyrics describe the danger of blindly following authority and not questioning the actions of governments and people in power. He uses powerful imagery of the Holocaust and other atrocities to warn the listener of the dangers of complacency in the face of rising authoritarianism.
The song questions how people will react when the gas taps turn and bodies start to burn, and wonders if they will keep ignoring the signs of potential disaster like the army convoys passing or the helicopters flying overhead. He warns of the dangers of ignoring the clues that authorities and those in power give, illustrated through imagery of the squad cars packed with boys in blue. The lyrics of the song suggest that due to our inaction, we are unwitting pawns of the state that will inevitably lead us to pay the cost of our complacency.
In summary, The Gasman Cometh by Jeffrey Lewis warns listeners of the dangers of blindly following authority and ignoring potential dangers, subtly reminding us that we must stay vigilant and resist when power is wielded against us.
Line by Line Meaning
What will you do when the gastaps turn?
What actions will you take when those in power come to oppress?
Where will you be when the bodies burn?
Will you stand and watch as violence and death ensue?
Will you just watch as the cattle trucks roll by?
Will you ignore the atrocities happening right before you?
Pretend it isn't happening?
Will you deny the reality of the violence and oppression?
Turn a blind eye?
Will you choose to ignore what is happening around you?
See the army convoys quietly passing by?
Have you noticed the military presence and power that surrounds you?
Heard the helicopters in your little bit of sky?
Have you heard the sounds of war and oppression in the very air you breathe?
Have you seen the squad cars packed with boys in blue?
Have you witnessed the police state and oppression that is present all around you?
Have you ever wondered what they're there to do?
What are the true intentions of those in power?
The ashes at Auschwitz are just a small leap.
The atrocities of the past serve as a warning of what is possible and may happen again.
When power is threatened, life is cheap.
Those in power may take violent action to maintain their authority.
Don't think that they won't do it,
Do not be naive enough to believe that those in power are not capable of atrocities.
'Cuz they always do.
History shows that those in power often resort to violence to maintain authority.
But this time around, the pawns are me and you.
We are all susceptible to being used as tools by those in power for their own purposes.
Pictures in the paper of soldiers in the street.
The media often portrays violence and oppression as a normal part of our society.
Pictures in the history books of rotting human meat.
The atrocities of the past are documented and should not be forgotten.
Auschwitz now a tourist spot for the cockle-eye to pry.
Even the site of one of the greatest horrors in history has been turned into a tourist attraction.
Still in working order for you and I.
The machinery of oppression is still in place and ready to be utilized.
Photos of the victims of gas of gun and bomb.
The images of those who have suffered from violence serve as a reminder of the potential horrors in the world.
Inheritance of violence in the bookshelves of your home.
Books and media often perpetuate violence and oppression as a part of our culture.
Don't wait for it to come to you,
Do not simply wait for violence and oppression to affect you before taking action.
'cuz it surely will.
Violence and oppression are pervasive and can happen at any time.
The guardians of the state are trained to search, destroy and kill.
Those in positions of power are often trained to use violence to maintain their authority.
There's people sitting at this moment.
People in power are constantly planning ways to maintain their authority.
their fingers on the trigger.
They are always ready and willing to use violence to maintain their power and control.
There's loyalty and royalty to make their violence figure.
The loyalty to those in power and the authority of the state serve to justify their violent actions.
Allegiance to the flag they say as they lock the prison door
Patriotism and nationalism are often used to justify oppression and violence.
Allegiance to normality is what lobotomies are for.
Conformity and obedience to the status quo are often forced upon individuals.
God, queen and country, they say we've got the choice.
Freedom and choice are often illusions created by those in power.
Free speech for all, if you've got no voice.
Those in power may silence dissenting voices to maintain control.
Propaganda on the airwaves, here's the way to live.
The media and those in power often dictate what is accepted as the norm and how people should live.
Not for you and me, the alternative.
Alternative ways of living and thinking may be suppressed by those in power.
They look for peace in Iraq with 10, 000 squady boys.
Violent methods, such as war, are often used to achieve peace and security.
Torture in their prisons and their other ploys.
Those in power often use violent and oppressive tactics to maintain control and suppress dissent.
They'll keep us all in line and they'll keep us on our toes.
The use of violence and oppression serves to control and intimidate society at large.
But if we stand against their power see how violence grows.
Resisting and opposing the power of the state may lead to greater violence and oppression.
Read it in the paper about rebellious youth,
The media often portrays the youth as violent and dangerous.
but it's them that are so violent, it's them that hide the truth.
Those in power may be the true source of violence and deceit in society.
Stay in line, or pay the cost.
Conformity and obedience are often enforced through fear and intimidation.
Do you think they care, when another life's lost?
Those in power may view human life as expendable in their pursuit of control.
Writer(s): Penny Rimbaud
Contributed by Sadie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.