Mr. Cat & The Jackal was conceptualized at the beginning of 2007, although … Read Full Bio ↴Mr. Cat & The Jackal was conceptualized at the beginning of 2007, although the name of this music project was at that stage not yet found.

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.

Yesterday Today and Tomorrow
Mr. Cat & The Jackal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, tonight, tonight, the stars would shine so bright if these dark clouds could not obscure it's light
But in here it's nice and warm while outside there is a storm and the stage is starting to take form
Oh, tonight, tonight, everything must be just right and I'm itching to the bone to perform
And the walls are yellow smoke stains, my feet stick to the floor and I see our name up on a poster by the door

Oh, the road has been long but we're all keeping strong, it's not the first time we're this far from home
And everything I can remember meets everything I can't forget and I believe we're in for some better times yet
Oh, the lights go out and the crowd is quiet now, there is a murmur as we start to croak

And we give the crowd our all and the crowd gives it all back and before you know it, again the stage goes black

Oh my brother, oh my brother, if we don't leave here right now I'm afraid things might get out of hand somehow
Oh, I'd rather, I'd rather get out of here right now for tomorrow we have another show

The road stretches out before us like a wide black snake and reveals another corner at every corner we take
And the trucks go past like stampedes, the towns they come and go and we all agree, last night we played a damn good show
Oh tonight, tonight the tickets are sold out and we're eager to perform for the sit down crowd
And the seats are red velvet, I smell electricity and wood and the show runs smooth, exactly the way it should

Oh, my brother, my brother, if we don't leave here right now I'm afraid things might get out of hand somehow

Oh, I'd rather, I'd rather get out of here right now for tomorrow we have another show
Oh yes, tomorrow we're going home

Overall Meaning

In "Yesterday Today and Tomorrow," Mr. Cat & The Jackal encapsulate the tumultuous journey of a traveling band, weaving a narrative rich with both introspection and anticipation. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of the duality of their experience—while the outside world is tumultuous and obscured by dark clouds, inside, there is a comforting warmth as they prepare for a performance. This juxtaposition serves as a metaphor for the challenges they face versus the solace they find in music. The "stars" symbolize their hopes and dreams, momentarily dimmed by the struggles of life on the road. The imagery of "yellow smoke stains" and "feet sticking to the floor" evokes a sense of weariness and the remnants of past performances, highlighting the passage of time and the residue of their journey. The excitement to perform is palpable, indicative of the cathartic release that music provides both to the performers and their audience.

The narrative continues to explore the band's history, capturing the long and winding road they've traveled. There is a sense of nostalgia as they reflect on the memories they've forged along the way, blending past experiences with fresh hopes for the future. The acknowledgment that “the road has been long” speaks to the perseverance required in the life of a musician, where the struggles of touring far from home are all too familiar. The line “everything I can remember meets everything I can't forget” suggests the complexity of memory and experience, hinting at the bittersweet nature of their journey—while they cherish the moments spent on stage, they are unable to escape the scars of their hardships. It is a profound revelation, acknowledging that growth comes not only from triumphs but also from the challenges that shape their path.

As the performance approaches, the atmosphere becomes electric, yet a sense of urgency infiltrates the experience. The refrain addressed to “my brother” reflects a deep bond formed through shared trials and adventures, emphasizing the camaraderie essential to the band's survival. The looming immediacy of needing to leave underscores the transient nature of their lifestyle. The musicians are caught in a cycle where they must perform and move on quickly, lest they become engulfed by the chaos around them. This tension between wanting to embrace the moment yet needing to flee encapsulates the duality of life as an artist—seeking connection through performance while grappling with the impermanence that comes with it.

In the concluding verses, the road continues to stretch ahead, metaphorically representing both the journey of life and the continuous pursuit of their artistic endeavors. The vivid depiction of trucks as stampedes evokes the relentless pace of their touring lifestyle, while the excitement of sold-out shows instills a sense of purpose and validation. The description of the "red velvet" seats and the felt electricity of the venue conjures an image of an intimate and special gathering, a contrast to the otherwise challenging landscape. The narrative circles back to the urgent need to leave, reinforcing the constant push-pull between performance and the nomadic lifestyle. Ultimately, the promise of “tomorrow we’re going home” suggests not just a physical return but also a metaphorical nod to a journey that, while filled with its share of struggles, leads toward hope and new beginnings. Through this beautifully crafted song, Mr. Cat & The Jackal capture the essence of the musician's path—full of trials, connections, and an unwavering belief in the beauty of what lies ahead.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, tonight, tonight, the stars would shine so bright if these dark clouds could not obscure it's light
This evening, the potential for brilliance and joy is palpable, yet overshadowed by negativity and challenges that prevent clarity and hope.

But in here it's nice and warm while outside there is a storm and the stage is starting to take form
Within this cozy space, a sense of comfort exists despite the chaos outside, as preparations for the performance begin to materialize.

Oh, tonight, tonight, everything must be just right and I'm itching to the bone to perform
This evening demands perfection, and my eagerness to showcase our talent is growing intensely, highlighting the anticipation of the upcoming performance.

And the walls are yellow smoke stains, my feet stick to the floor and I see our name up on a poster by the door
The environment is marked with the residue of past experiences, physically anchoring me to this place as I notice our recognition and promotion displayed prominently.

Oh, the road has been long but we're all keeping strong, it's not the first time we're this far from home
The journey has been arduous, yet we remain resilient, familiar with the feeling of distance from our roots and the sacrifices needed for our passion.

And everything I can remember meets everything I can't forget and I believe we're in for some better times yet
Memories from the past intertwine with lingering regrets, but there’s a hopeful belief that brighter days lie ahead, suggesting growth and optimism.

Oh, the lights go out and the crowd is quiet now, there is a murmur as we start to croak
As the venue darkens and silence envelops the audience, a sense of anxiety fills the air as we begin our performance with tentative voices.

And we give the crowd our all and the crowd gives it all back and before you know it, again the stage goes black
We wholeheartedly invest ourselves in the performance, receiving an enthusiastic response in return, which culminates quickly as the spotlight fades once more.

Oh my brother, oh my brother, if we don't leave here right now I'm afraid things might get out of hand somehow
I express concern to my companion that we must exit the situation immediately, as lingering here could lead to unforeseen complications.

Oh, I'd rather, I'd rather get out of here right now for tomorrow we have another show
I prioritize taking action to leave this place now, recognizing our commitment to perform again soon and the importance of being prepared.

The road stretches out before us like a wide black snake and reveals another corner at every corner we take
The journey ahead is vast and uncertain, with unexpected challenges and opportunities presenting themselves continuously as we travel forward.

And the trucks go past like stampedes, the towns they come and go and we all agree, last night we played a damn good show
As we traverse, the swift passage of vehicles mirrors the fleeting nature of our concert stops, yet there is a shared confidence in our recent successful performance.

Oh tonight, tonight the tickets are sold out and we're eager to perform for the sit down crowd
This evening's event is completely booked, and we are filled with excitement to entertain an audience that has come to experience our art attentively.

And the seats are red velvet, I smell electricity and wood and the show runs smooth, exactly the way it should
The luxurious setting enhances the atmosphere, with palpable energy in the air as everything unfolds seamlessly, just as it was intended.

Oh, my brother, my brother, if we don't leave here right now I'm afraid things might get out of hand somehow
Once again, I urge my sibling that immediate departure is necessary to avoid potential troubles that may arise from staying too long.

Oh, I'd rather, I'd rather get out of here right now for tomorrow we have another show
I emphasize my preference to leave promptly, understanding our responsibility to be ready for the challenges that come with our next performance.

Oh yes, tomorrow we're going home
I acknowledge that soon we shall return to our origin, suggesting a longing for familiarity after the transient nature of our travels.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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