After an eighteen-year hiatus, the band announced their 2023 “Summer of Green” Tour, where they’d play the album “Animals” by Pink Floyd in its entirety. The Frog Brigade now features Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on the keyboard, and Paolo Baldi on drums, with the only original members left being Les Claypool on bass and vocals, Mike Dillon on percussion, and Skerik on the saxophone.
Sheep
Les Claypool's Frog Brigade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan and I have seen
Things are not what they seem
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
Meek and obedient, you follow the leader
What a surprise!
A look of terminal shock in your eyes
Now things are really what they seem
No, this is no bad dream
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green, he leadeth me the silent waters by
With bright knives, he releaseth my soul
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
For lo, he hath great power and great hunger
When cometh the day we lowly ones
Through quiet reflection and great dedication
Master the art of karate
Lo, we shall rise up
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water
Blasting and bubbling, I fell on his neck with a scream
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Have you heard the news
The dogs are dead!
You better stay home
And do as you're told
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
The lyrics of "Sheep" by Les Claypool's Frog Brigade describe a chilling and seemingly cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly following leaders without questioning them. The song starts off by painting a picture of a peaceful but uneasy grassland, with the singer seemingly unaware of any lurking dangers. However, the warning of dogs being around starts to simmer and introduces an underlying sense of unease as the lyrics continue.
Les Claypool sings about how it is dangerous to ignore the warning signs and pretend that the danger is not real, as the singer in the song blindly follows the leader down a well-trodden corridor into the valley of steel. It is only when the singer reaches the valley that they realize that things are not what they seem, and their look of terminal shock suggests that something terrible has happened.
The second half of the lyrics take a turn towards a religious theme, with Les Claypool referencing the bible and the Lord being his shepherd. However, instead of a peaceful and serene scenario, we are presented with an image of a lamb being converted to lamb cutlets. The song ends with a surge of energy and a sense of triumph as the singer dreams of rising up and making the bugger's, or perhaps the oppressor's, eyes water.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sheep" convey a powerful message about the dangers of blind obedience and the importance of questioning authority and standing up for oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away
You are idly wasting your time and not facing the reality of your situation.
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You have a sense that something is not right, but you don't fully understand what it is.
You better watch out
You should be cautious and alert.
There may be dogs about
There are dangers present that you may not see yet.
I've looked over Jordan and I have seen
I have gained insight from a higher perspective.
Things are not what they seem
The reality of the situation is different than what it appears.
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
Denying the danger will not protect you from it.
Meek and obedient, you follow the leader
You are blindly following someone else's lead.
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
You are heading towards a dangerous and uncertain future.
What a surprise!
You will be shocked by what happens next.
A look of terminal shock in your eyes
You will be paralyzed with fear and disbelief.
Now things are really what they seem
The reality of the situation is now apparent.
No, this is no bad dream
This is not a nightmare, it is really happening.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
I trust that God will provide for me.
He makes me down to lie
God will give me rest when I need it.
Through pastures green, he leadeth me the silent waters by
God will guide me to peaceful and refreshing places.
With bright knives, he releaseth my soul
God will free me from my troubles.
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
God will test me and challenge me in difficult situations.
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
God has the power to change me into something vulnerable and weak.
For lo, he hath great power and great hunger
God is all-powerful and has a strong desire for control.
When cometh the day we lowly ones
When the day comes that we are weak and vulnerable.
Through quiet reflection and great dedication
Through thoughtful contemplation and hard work.
Master the art of karate
We will become skilled and capable of self-defense.
Lo, we shall rise up
We will become strong and powerful.
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water
We will surprise and intimidate our enemies.
Blasting and bubbling, I fell on his neck with a scream
I attacked my enemy with intense emotion and energy.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
Many attackers came at once and with crazed intentions.
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
The attackers suddenly appeared and moved with determination.
Have you heard the news
There is new information you should know.
The dogs are dead!
The danger has been eliminated.
You better stay home
It is safer to stay put and not venture out.
And do as you're told
Follow instructions to avoid danger.
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
Avoid the path of danger if you want to survive.
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
klbax63
Animals is one of the greatest rock albums ever and Les and his guy's are doing such a great tribute to this masterpiece
Fred Roderick
Les IS king! Plays what he wants, wants what he plays. Thank you music ❤️
jason TX
Would love to hear a digital remaster of this. Its a little rough, but that makes it a nice little gem!
jj12441jsn
Someone said in some comment "possibly better" (than the original). That's the thing about all these covers. They're all "close covers" - mostly - yet not quite not trying to "pass" as the original and in all of them, they totally *own* the material. It's not the orig. Its not a tribute band cover. It's just really good.
dummy
Wow, this group has covered both Pink Floyd and King Crimson, my two favourite groups. They did a damn good job too.
shards0fwords
Found it. https://youtu.be/21tPRG1FxiU
You gotta check zis shit!! lime and limpid green” is 4 covers starting w/ astronomy dynamic
shards0fwords
Claypool Lennon Delerium has some Krimson covers, Floyd too i think ❤️
Marko Cosic
Les is king :)
hairmonster12
Les, for the sake of world peace, humankind, and the whole planet in general, please cover Echoes. just once? please?
shards0fwords
Hands down favorite song of all time