Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Gideon's Bible
John Cale Lyrics
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Peering through the cutting wrist, at grand old mother greedy
Rolling out the cotton ship, upon the carpet pillow
Throttling children callously, a messy day with Clancy
Gideon lied and Gideon died
The force of China felt
Gideon smiled as Gideon died
Rolling out the golden robes and other foreign language
Stretching out the verbs and nouns together in the greeting
Some that felt the blade often, some deep confused emotion
Struck eye first against the wall of China under fire.
Gideon lied and Gideon died
The force of China felt
Gideon smiled as Gideon died
The thought of China held.
In John Cale's "Gideon's Bible," the lyrics paint a picture of a chaotic and unsettling world. The singer is holding onto things that don't exist and peering through a cutting wrist, suggesting a sense of desperation and despair. The image of grand old mother greedy may represent capitalism and greed, while throttling children callously represents the cruelty and harshness of life. The cotton ship and carpet pillow imagery suggest luxury and comfort in contrast to the violence depicted in the lyrics.
The name Gideon is mentioned throughout the song, and the repeated phrase "Gideon lied and Gideon died" adds to the sense of chaos and confusion. The "force of China" represents a powerful and uncontrollable force, while Gideon's smile as he died suggests a surrender to fate or acceptance of the inevitable. The use of foreign language and confusion with verbs and nouns adds to the idea of disorienting chaos.
Overall, the song creates a sense of unease and tension, with a bleak view of the world and human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Holding on, with both eyes, to things that don't exist
Persisting in a futile hope or wishful thinking
Peering through the cutting wrist, at grand old mother greedy
Viewing the world through painful and self-destructive behavior, at the greed and corruption of those in power
Rolling out the cotton ship, upon the carpet pillow
Engaging in the exploitative practices of the cotton trade, resting on the comforts of luxury
Throttling children callously, a messy day with Clancy
Abusing and harming innocent children, having a chaotic and violent day
Gideon lied and Gideon died
The force of China felt
Gideon smiled as Gideon died
The thought of China held.
These lines suggest a mysterious and symbolic meaning, possibly alluding to the downfall and legacy of a powerful and deceitful figure, as well as the consequences of their actions on a larger scale.
Rolling out the golden robes and other foreign language
Displaying opulence and elitism, using language to create a barrier between oneself and others
Stretching out the verbs and nouns together in the greeting
Manipulating language to convey false sincerity or to obscure meaning
Some that felt the blade often, some deep confused emotion
Those who have experienced pain and suffering, as well as those whose emotions are complicated and difficult to understand
Struck eye first against the wall of China under fire.
Facing a formidable and dangerous obstacle head-on, in a dangerous and volatile situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind