He is a founding member of Primus and formed a trio named Oysterhead with Trey Anastasio and Stewart Copeland.
Rumble of the Diesel
Les Claypool Lyrics
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I percolate my coffee off the radiator boil
I been chasin' tuna nearly 27 years
I got the eyeballs of an eagle but there's ringing in my ears
I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil
Granddad was a farmer but I couldn't stand the soil
I like to keep it simple; it helps to keep me sane
Some say we can find a place
Between heaven and hell
Some work to make the bread rise
I like to plow the ocean swell
Errol's got a sweet monterey
Rigged for salmon and crab
Never had a family
Unless you count that old yellow lab
I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil
I percolate my coffee off the radiator boil
I been chasin' tuna nearly 27 years
I got the eyeballs of an eagle but there's ringing in my ears
I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil
Granddad was a farmer but I couldn't stand the soil
I like to keep it simple; it helps to keep me sane
I like floating in the ocean it nullifies the pain
Lookin' back to '95
I had a fresh Cummings re-power
Draggin' lines for Albacore
'Till the market went sour
We talked of strike for 40 days
'Cause the price was drove down
And when we finally settled up
We got less than a dollar a pound
I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil
I percolate my coffee off the radiator boil
I been chasin' tuna nearly 27 years
I got the eyeballs of an eagle but there's ringing in my ears
I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil
Granddad was a farmer but I couldn't stand the soil
I like to keep it simple; it helps to keep me sane
I like floating in the ocean it nullifies the pain
In Les Claypool's song "Rumble of the Diesel," the singer sings about his love for the seafaring life and the hardships that come with it. The opening line, "I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil," speaks to his affinity for the machinery that powers his boat through the water, as well as the associated risks and rewards of working in the fishing industry.
The second verse adds complexity to the character, as he reveals that his grandfather was a farmer, but he could not stand the soil. This implies that our protagonist has a less than positive relationship with traditional lifestyles and prefers to keep things simple, possibly as a nod to his experiences as a fisherman. The line "nullifies the pain" suggests that the risks associated with the job—such as economic hardship and physical danger—are numb to him due to his love of the ocean and the thrum of his boat's engines.
The final verse reflects on a time when the fishing industry struggled. The singer discusses dragging lines for Albacore and how the market went sour, leading to 40 days of striking. The line "We got less than a dollar a pound" highlights the struggles of small-scale fishing in the face of larger corporate interests. Overall, the song ties together the themes of hard work, simplicity, and a passionate love for the sea.
Line by Line Meaning
I like the rumble of the diesel and the smell of the oil
I enjoy the sound and scent of the engine in my boat.
I percolate my coffee off the radiator boil
I make coffee using the heat from the boat's engine.
I been chasin' tuna nearly 27 years
I've been fishing for tuna for almost three decades.
I got the eyeballs of an eagle but there's ringing in my ears
My eyesight is good, but my hearing is damaged due to noise exposure.
Granddad was a farmer but I couldn't stand the soil
My grandfather was a farmer but I didn't enjoy that lifestyle.
I like to keep it simple; it helps to keep me sane
I prefer a simple life because it keeps me mentally healthy.
I like floating in the ocean it nullifies the pain
Being on the ocean helps me forget my problems and relieve my pain.
Some say we can find a place
Some believe that we can find a perfect, in-between place.
Between heaven and hell
Between good and evil.
Some work to make the bread rise
Some work hard to earn a living.
I like to plow the ocean swell
I'd rather navigate a boat on the ocean than farm land.
Errol's got a sweet monterey
Errol owns a nice fishing boat made by Monterey.
Rigged for salmon and crab
His boat is set up to catch salmon and crab.
Never had a family
Errol never got married or had children.
Unless you count that old yellow lab
Errol's dog is like family to him.
Lookin' back to '95
Reflecting on the year 1995.
I had a fresh Cummings re-power
I installed a new engine from the brand Cummings.
Draggin' lines for Albacore
I was fishing for Albacore tuna using lines.
'Till the market went sour
Until the demand for Albacore decreased.
We talked of strike for 40 days
We discussed going on strike for 40 days.
'Cause the price was drove down
Because the cost of Albacore was decreasing.
And when we finally settled up
When we finally resolved the issue.
We got less than a dollar a pound
We received less than $1 per pound of Albacore tuna.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: LESLIE E CLAYPOOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind