The inspiration for this project came naturally while Gertjie Besselsen and Jacques du Plessis were working on the Theatrical Music Score for the Award winning, Marthinus Basson, theater production, ‘Die Storm’, for which they received a KANNA nomination. While working on this project they experimented with instruments like Xylophones, glockenspiels etc. and consequently found tremendous inspiration for their own project.
With a perfect combination of the understanding of, and the passion for, interesting instruments…and exceptional musical genius, they incorporated these instruments in songs already written by them and voila! Mr. Cat and The Jackal were born! They thought, what the hell and went ballistic on instruments like the Accordion, Lap-slide, Bouzouki, Melodica, Kalimba and a shit-load of percussion instruments, to only name a few! Soon afterwards the name ‘Mr. Cat & The Jackal’ emerged out of thin air and a five piece band was formed.
Gertjie and Jacques started performing with muso’s who came and went and was finally joined permanently by the talented and groovy, JC Visser on bass, Bernard Willemse on light percussion and Pierre Theron on low percussion.
Since then they have been recording an album at their own studio, making some of their own instruments, creating and writing songs, Performing live, in and all around Cape Town, Creating a whole repertoire of theatre soundtracks (from Peter Pan to more serious stuff), and made a music video.
There sound can best be described as experimental acoustic folk, with a dash of blues. With a circus of sounds created by foreign and handmade instruments their live performances is a complete musical experience.
Their debut album “Themes and Variations” was released 28 Nov 2009. The music video “Fresh Meat” is available at Youtube.
Privilege
Mr. Cat & The Jackal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many things have gone wrong, there is a sad life passing by and in here I'm still relatively strong
Oh, there's a sad life outside my window
Asking if I don't have any change
But sadly all I have it's more the same
Yes, it is a sad life outside my window
Trying to sell me something I don't need and tells me it's hard outside my windowWoman invent to feed but what I really 'wanna ask you, buddy, is so why, then why did you breed?
But I won't do that, no man, I won't ask him that
Slow down PC police I'm not saying that
Oh, there is a sad life outside my window
And his lost eyes looks back at me angrily
Oh, for I am guilty of having something
Oh, yes, I am guilty of my white privilege
Oh
Oh, there is a sad life outside my window
Preaching that he has lost everything and cursing something I can't see
With an unconditional belief
Cursing the heavens and all the Gods
Cursing blue skies, cursing stars
Oh, but cursing never got anyone very far
In fact this cursing won't get him anywhere at all
Oh, you can go on and act like nothing is wrong
But what do you do with your strength now that you're strong?
Yes, you can go on and claim it's just not your dog
Yes, you can go on
With your head in the thick fog
The lyrics of Mr. Cat & The Jackal's song "Privilege" depict the stark contrast between the singer's relatively comfortable and privileged life, symbolized by the safety of their window, and the struggles and hardships faced by those outside. The singer observes the sad life passing by, with people asking for spare change and trying to sell unnecessary things. The song explores themes of inequality, guilt, and social responsibility.
The singer acknowledges that they are guilty of their white privilege, perhaps referring to the advantages they have simply because of their race. They reflect on the anger and resentment of those less privileged, and the futile act of cursing and blaming external forces for their misfortunes. The song also challenges the listener to reflect on their own actions and how they use their strength and privilege in the face of injustice and inequality.
Overall, "Privilege" serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the stark disparities in society and the moral obligations we have towards those less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sad life outside my window
I can see the unhappiness and struggles in the world outside of my comfortable bubble
So many things have gone wrong, there is a sad life passing by and in here I'm still relatively strong
Despite all the problems in the world, I still have some stability and strength within my own circumstances
Oh, there's a sad life outside my window
Once again, I am reminded of the sadness and difficulties present in the world around me
Asking if I don't have any change
The less fortunate individuals outside my window are asking for financial assistance
But sadly all I have it's more the same
Unfortunately, all I can offer them is more of the same situation they're already in
Yes, it is a sad life outside my window
Indeed, the life outside my window is filled with sorrow
Trying to sell me something I don't need and tells me it's hard outside my window
These individuals attempt to sell me unnecessary items while also emphasizing the hardships they face
Woman invent to feed but what I really 'wanna ask you, buddy, is so why, then why did you breed?
They claim to be struggling to provide for their families, but it makes me wonder why they chose to have children in the first place
But I won't do that, no man, I won't ask him that
However, I choose not to confront them about their choices and circumstances
Slow down PC police I'm not saying that
I want to clarify that I am not trying to be politically correct or judgmental
Oh, there is a sad life outside my window
Once again, I am faced with the reality of the sorrowful lives outside my window
And his lost eyes looks back at me angrily
The person outside my window stares back at me with anger and frustration in their eyes
Oh, for I am guilty of having something
I feel guilty because I possess certain privileges and advantages
Oh, yes, I am guilty of my white privilege
Specifically, I feel guilty about the privileges I have due to being white
Oh
(An expression of acknowledgement or reflection)
Preaching that he has lost everything and cursing something I can't see
The person outside my window claims to have lost everything and is expressing anger towards something intangible
With an unconditional belief
They hold onto their belief and anger unwaveringly
Cursing the heavens and all the Gods
They direct their curses towards the divine forces and higher powers
Cursing blue skies, cursing stars
Even nature and celestial objects become targets of their cursing
Oh, but cursing never got anyone very far
However, it is important to note that cursing alone does not bring about meaningful change or progress
In fact this cursing won't get him anywhere at all
In reality, their constant cursing will not lead to any positive outcomes or improvements
Oh, you can go on and act like nothing is wrong
Some people choose to ignore the problems and pretend that everything is fine
But what do you do with your strength now that you're strong?
However, it raises the question of how they utilize their privileged position and strength to make a difference
Yes, you can go on and claim it's just not your dog
They may argue that the issues at hand are not their personal responsibility
Yes, you can go on
They have the option to continue with their current mindset
With your head in the thick fog
Remaining oblivious or ignorant to the challenges faced by others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind