For more than twenty years he has been releasing, to only marginal commercial and critical success, playful and transgressive albums on labels in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. In his lyrics and his other writing he makes seemingly random use of decontextualized pieces of continental (mostly French) philosophy, and has built up a personal world he says is "dominated by values like diversity, orientalism, and a respect for otherness." He is also known in certain circles outside the U.S. as a producer. He is fascinated by identity, Japan, the avant-garde, time travel and sex. Live Momus shows are rare but when he does perform he often sings the crowd favourite 'maf' from the Stars Forever LP.
He wears a patch over his right eye because he lost the use of it after contracting acanthamoeba keratitis from a contact lens case washed with Greek tap water.
Nick Currie currently resides in Osaka, Japan.
Jackdaw
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No-one seems to know
Why he put it out of bounds
Dr Barnardo
Stig staggers on the cinder path
Up beside the dump
The ghost of Colin Wilson's in
And if the nettle stings your hand
You cure it with a dock
And if you try to run away
They hit you with a clock
They say a black magician
Trained a black jackdaw to talk
The ghost of Colin Wilson has
An electronic jaw
The mushrooms in the library
Were wolfed down by wild dogs
Which went woofing to the forest
Where researchers cut their logs
And now there is a skull to see
By the skullery
Elizabeth is blubbering
She hopes it's all a dream
They say a black magician
Trained a black jackdaw to talk
The ghost of Colin Wilson has
An electronic jaw
The song "Jackdaw" by Momus is a strange, psychedelic, and somewhat surreal journey through an eerie and mysterious world. It seems to be a critique of societal norms and institutions, with references to Dr. Barnardo (an English philanthropist who founded orphanages), the idea of punishment for breaking rules ("if you try to run away, they hit you with a clock"), and the bizarre and supernatural ("the ghost of Colin Wilson's in the bugger of a funk"). The song also features strange imagery, such as mushrooms in the library, nettle stings, and a black jackdaw trained to talk by a black magician.
The song's chorus brings together two of its most prominent themes – the ghost of Colin Wilson and the black jackdaw. The electronic jaw of the ghost of Colin Wilson possibly references his fascination with the paranormal and unexplained. The trained black jackdaw that can talk is likely a reference to the idea of power and control, and the ability to manipulate others. The song's overall meaning is somewhat unclear, but it seems to suggest a questioning of authority, a fascination with the supernatural, and a desire to escape from societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
The world beyond the rhubarb patch
Referring to the unknown or mysterious aspects of the world outside a limited or isolated area.
No-one seems to know
A lack of knowledge or awareness regarding the previously mentioned unknown world.
Why he put it out of bounds
Questioning the reason why the area beyond the rhubarb patch is off-limits.
Dr Barnardo
A reference to a historical figure known for his work with underprivileged children.
Stig staggers on the cinder path
Describing a character named Stig who appears to be stumbling down a particular type of pathway.
Up beside the dump
The location of the aforementioned pathway, next to a landfill or waste disposal area.
The ghost of Colin Wilson's in
Referring to the spirit or essence of a writer named Colin Wilson being present in the scene.
The bugger of a funk
Describing a feeling of discomfort, depression or unease in the atmosphere.
And if the nettle stings your hand
In the event of pain or injury from a particular source.
You cure it with a dock
Suggesting a natural remedy for the sting or injury, using the dock plant.
And if you try to run away
If someone attempts to escape or avoid punishment or confinement.
They hit you with a clock
Using a clock or time-keeping device as a form of punishment or alarm.
They say a black magician
Referring to a rumored practitioner of dark magic or witchcraft.
Trained a black jackdaw to talk
Training a specific type of bird, known for their intelligence, to communicate in human language.
The ghost of Colin Wilson has
A continuation of the previous mention of Wilson's spirit or essence in the scene.
An electronic jaw
Suggesting the use of technology or machinery in the construction of a theoretical device.
The mushrooms in the library
Referring to an unusual placement or activity involving mushrooms within the library.
Were wolfed down by wild dogs
The mushrooms were rapidly consumed or devoured by a group of untamed canines.
Which went woofing to the forest
The dogs moved noisily and energetically into a nearby wooded area.
Where researchers cut their logs
The work of woodcutters or scientists is being carried out somewhere within the mentioned forest.
And now there is a skull to see
A mysterious or disturbing object, a human skull, is now available to view or observe.
By the skullery
The location of the skull is near an area where food or cooking equipment is stored or prepared.
Elizabeth is blubbering
A character named Elizabeth is crying or making sounds of distress or sorrow.
She hopes it's all a dream
Despite being awake and conscious, Elizabeth yearns for this situation to not be real or authentic.
Contributed by Dylan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jdsowa
I think your music is more interesting than the Ghost Box stuff that I've heard. No insultingly predictable analog synth arpeggios. More diffuse and unidentifiable sourced jumble.
Brian Szente
blood on satan's claw indeed... filtered through Momus