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.
Street Preacher
Mr. Cat & The Jackal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, preach in to me (Preach on to me)
Telling me you used to be a broken man but now he's free
Telling me it's the first time in his life he's truly ever been happy
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
Come closer, won't you please tell me (Please come and tell me)
How did you get from the darkness to this beam of light I now seeOh, won't you please tell me street preacher, why don't the same thing happen to me?
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
Telling me things I just can't believe (I can't believe)
Telling me you and I can be forgiven from any owe and everything
Telling me all my sins, they've been payed for before I even did anything
Oh, and you know, well it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down below
Oh, and you know it, it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down low, Here we go
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
Come on preach it on to me (Preach on to me)
Oh, telling me I'm a blind man but he can help me to see
Oh, but how I been getting along for so long without sight, man, you can't tell me
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
You're wasting your sweet old time with me (You're wasting time on me)
I think there's a whole lot more that went on here, man, you chose just not to see
Oh, street preacher, street preacher, man, I think it's you that's lost not me
Anyway, well it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down below
Oh, you know it, it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down low
Oh, well you know it, it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down below
You know, but it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down low, oh, hey, hey, oh
The lyrics of "Street Preacher" by Mr. Cat & The Jackal delve into a conversation between the singer and a street preacher who is exuding happiness and freedom. The repetition of "street preacher, street preacher" emphasizes the presence of this figure in the singer's life and sets the tone for an intriguing dialogue. The street preacher is portrayed as someone who has overcome their struggles and found a sense of liberation, which intrigues the singer, prompting them to seek guidance and understanding.
As the conversation progresses, the singer expresses their disbelief in the preacher's message, questioning how they could also experience such a profound transformation. The preacher speaks of forgiveness and redemption, claiming that all sins have been paid for before they were even committed. This notion challenges the singer's skepticism and raises existential questions about personal salvation and the nature of faith.
The contrast between the preacher's conviction and the singer's doubt is palpable throughout the song. The preacher offers guidance and a path towards enlightenment, while the singer remains skeptical and resistant to fully embracing the message being conveyed. The lyrics convey a struggle between belief and skepticism, with the singer grappling with their own perception of reality and spirituality.
The recurring motif of "it ain't so bad down below" reflects a dichotomy between the preacher's promise of salvation and the singer's reluctance to fully embrace this newfound perspective. The repetition of this phrase underscores a tension between hope and despair, as well as between acceptance and resistance. Ultimately, the song captures a complex dialogue between faith and skepticism, with the street preacher embodying a beacon of light and the singer embodying a voice of doubt and questioning.
Line by Line Meaning
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
A repeated call to a messenger of faith, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the message being delivered.
Come on, preach in to me (Preach on to me)
An invitation for the preacher to share their wisdom and spiritual insights.
Telling me you used to be a broken man but now he's free
The preacher shares their personal transformation from a state of despair to liberation, illustrating the possibility of change.
Telling me it's the first time in his life he's truly ever been happy
The preacher highlights a newfound joy, suggesting that true happiness can be attained through spiritual awakening.
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
A reiteration of the preacher's role, further emphasizing their significance as a spiritual guide.
Come closer, won't you please tell me (Please come and tell me)
A plea for intimacy and deeper understanding of the preacher's journey and insights.
How did you get from the darkness to this beam of light I now see
A question of curiosity about the transformative experience that moved the preacher from despair to enlightenment.
Oh, won't you please tell me street preacher, why don't the same thing happen to me?
An expression of yearning for a similar transformation, reflecting personal struggles with faith and fulfillment.
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
Reinforcing the preacher's role in the narrative, highlighting their recurring presence.
Telling me things I just can't believe (I can't believe)
Sharing messages that challenge the listener's skepticism and worldview.
Telling me you and I can be forgiven from any owe and everything
Proclaiming the possibility of redemption and forgiveness for all past wrongs, regardless of severity.
Telling me all my sins, they've been paid for before I even did anything
The idea of preemptive forgiveness, suggesting grace is offered without conditions or prior actions.
Oh, and you know, well it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down below
A recognition that life's hardships may not be as dire as they seem, hinting at the potential for hope in difficult situations.
Oh, and you know it, it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down low, Here we go
An affirmation that challenges can be manageable, encouraging a positive perspective.
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
The preacher's presence continues to loom large, serving as a reminder of their persistent message.
Come on preach it on to me (Preach on to me)
A repeated call for guidance, underscoring the desire for enlightenment.
Oh, telling me I'm a blind man but he can help me to see
The preacher claims to possess the ability to open the listener's eyes to truths they have yet to grasp.
Oh, but how I been getting along for so long without sight, man, you can't tell me
An assertion of independence, questioning the preacher's wisdom by highlighting the listener's survival despite perceived blindness.
Street preacher, street preacher (Street preacher, street preacher)
A reiteration of the preacher's role that emphasizes the central thematic relevance of their message.
You're wasting your sweet old time with me (You're wasting time on me)
A poignant realization that the preacher's efforts may be misdirected, reflecting feelings of unworthiness or doubt.
I think there's a whole lot more that went on here, man, you chose just not to see
A challenge to the preacher's narrative, suggesting that a more complex truth underlies their simple story.
Oh, street preacher, street preacher, man, I think it's you that's lost not me
A counter-assertion that places the preacher in a position of uncertainty, reversing the expected roles of the guide and the seeker.
Anyway, well it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down below
A reiteration of the notion that life’s struggles might not be as oppressive as they appear, suggesting resilience.
Oh, you know it, it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down low
A shared understanding that encourages the recognition of potential positivity within difficult circumstances.
Oh, well you know it, it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down below
An affirmation that reinforces the notion that adversity can be bearable.
You know, but it ain't so bad, it ain't so bad down low, oh, hey, hey, oh
An uplifting conclusion that suggests a level of acceptance with life’s challenges, encouraging perseverance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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