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.
Jahwise Hammer of the Babylon King
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glistering gold and blistering sores
Catch him in the morning when the lepers rise
Catch him in the leggings with the clickety strides
Catch it in the basement if you've got the nerve
Squealing like a hot pink monkey bird
Frisk you in the dark where the children ran
Lock you in the bedroom where you jiggle the man
The Jahwise hammer of the Babylon king
Slithery Tove
Walked like a leper or a lion man
Catch him in the morning when the lepers rise
Catch him in the leggings with the clickety strides
Catch it in the basement if you've got the nerve
Squealing like a hot pink monkey bird
Love me in the morning when the vampires rise
Love me in the evening like a slaughtered bride
Spattered with the lizzy like a blackabore knife
The Jahwise hammer of the Babylon king
Horsemouth Leggo Beast
The Jahwise hammer of the Babylon king
Meet you in the jungle where the sneakers melt
Meet you in the wonder of the thunderbird belt
Meet you in the desert when it's wet with rain
Meet you down the skeleton's gobbling drain
Stomping up a party in Vesuvius ash
Pumping up the junk with biological trash
Screening for the baby with the baby face
The Jahwise Hammer of the Babylon King
Jah Jah
Jah Jah
The lyrics of Momus's song Jahwise Hammer of the Babylon King are obscure and difficult to interpret due to the use of surreal and metaphorical elements. At first glance, the verses seem like a collection of nonsensical phrases but upon a deeper analysis, they appear to convey a message of rebellion and freedom against the oppressive forces of Babylon. The repeated line "Catch him in the morning when the lepers rise" suggests that the singer is living on the outskirts of society and is ready to fight against the establishment. The line "Lock you in the bedroom where you jiggle the man" is likely a reference to sexual desires that are considered taboo by Babylonian standards. Similarly, "Love me in the evening like a slaughtered bride" may refer to the destructive nature of Babylonian societal norms.
The chorus of the song "The Jahwise Hammer of the Babylon King" is a call to action for the singer to fight back against the forces of Babylon with the metaphorical weapon of the Jahwise hammer. This is further emphasized by the repeated line "Jah Jah" which is a reference to Rastafarianism and the belief in Jah as a supreme being. The lyrics encourage individualism and defy societal norms by suggesting that the singer will meet the listener in unconventional places such as the jungle or by the skeleton's gobbling drain. The song ultimately conveys a message of rebellion, freedom, and individualism.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh by Jove
Expression of exclamation or surprise
Glistering gold and blistering sores
Contrast between beauty and decay
Catch him in the morning when the lepers rise
Opportunity to catch someone at their weakest moment
Catch him in the leggings with the clickety strides
Catch someone's attention with style
Catch it in the basement if you've got the nerve
Challenge to be brave enough to venture into unknown territory
Squealing like a hot pink monkey bird
Describing a loud, high-pitched sound
Frisk you in the dark where the children ran
Search someone thoroughly in unexpected places
Fist you in the park where you push the pram
Violent encounter in public space
Lock you in the bedroom where you jiggle the man
Restrained from pleasurable activities
The Jahwise hammer of the Babylon king
Powerful force used to punish or control
Slithery Tove
Descriptive name for someone sly and cunning
Walked like a leper or a lion man
A strange or intimidating gait
Love me in the morning when the vampires rise
Desire for affection at an unusual time of day
Love me in the evening like a slaughtered bride
Intense passion or desire
Spattered with the lizzy like a blackabore knife
Covered in blood or violent imagery
Horsemouth Leggo Beast
Descriptive name for someone untamed or wild
Meet you in the jungle where the sneakers melt
Proposed meeting place with other-worldly properties
Meet you in the wonder of the thunderbird belt
Magical or awe-inspiring location
Meet you in the desert when it's wet with rain
Contradictory or unusual conditions
Meet you down the skeleton's gobbling drain
Eerie or unsettling rendezvous point
Stomping up a party in Vesuvius ash
Causing chaos or turmoil in an unexpected location
Pumping up the junk with biological trash
Exaggerated or nonsensical actions
Screening for the baby with the baby face
Foolish or misguided search for perfection
Jah Jah
Referring to God or a spiritual entity
Jah Jah
Referring to God or a spiritual entity
Writer(s): Joe Howe, Nicholas Currie
Contributed by Madelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aldo Charles
on Morality Is Vanity
I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.