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.
sailor
Mr. Cat & The Jackal Lyrics
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Memory stuck like glue
Her face, her voice
Sail across the seas with you
Can you hear all the angels?
When you feel like you're out there on your own
Know there is someone watching over you
Oh sailor, we will blow the wind right
But if you die out there, tearing you into two
I hope you know that you could sail right on
I hope you know you got the ocean blue
No sound worse than silence
A curse that grows
Big words kept in
Whispers of dreams untold
Just don't fight all the angels
When you feel like you're out there on your own
Know there is someone watching over you
When out at sea, feels love can let go
Oh sailor, we will blow the wind right
But if you die out there, tearing you into two
I hope you know that you could sail right on
I hope you know you got the ocean blue
When you feel like you're out there on your own
Know there is someone watching over you
When out at sea, feels love can let go
Oh sailor, we will blow the wind right
But if you die out there, tearing you into two
I hope you know that you could sail right on
I hope you know you got the ocean blue
When you feel like you're out there on your own
Know there is someone watching over you
When out at sea, feels love can let go
Oh sailor, we will blow the wind right
But if you die out there, breaking you into two
I hope you know that you could sail right on
I hope you know you got the ocean blue
The Mr. Cat & The Jackal song "Sailor" is a touching tribute to the enduring power of love and support. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a sailor out on the open sea, haunted by strange dreams and memories of a loved one left behind. Despite the distance and the difficulties of life at sea, the sailor is comforted by the knowledge that someone is watching over them from afar. The idea of angels is a recurring motif throughout the song, underscoring the idea of divine protection and guidance.
The chorus is a powerful and uplifting anthem, urging the sailor to brave the rough seas and fierce winds with confidence and courage. The lyrics suggest that even in the face of death and danger, the sailor's spirit can continue to sail on, buoyed by the strength of their love and the vastness of the ocean itself. The song ends with a poignant reminder that the sailor is never truly alone, and that the memories and love of their homeland will always remain with them, no matter where they roam.
Overall, "Sailor" is a moving and deeply emotional tribute to the courage and resilience of all those who set out to sea, and the enduring power of love to sustain us in even the most difficult of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold night, strange dreams
It was a cold and dark night with strange thoughts and dreams.
Memory stuck like glue
The memory of a person is firmly stuck in the mind like glue.
Her face, her voice
The image of her face and the sound of her voice is still very vivid.
Sail across the seas with you
Wishing to sail across the seas along with the person who is being missed.
Can you hear all the angels?
Wondering if the person can hear the angels watching over them.
No sound worse than silence
The worst sound is the silence that comes when one is missing somebody they love.
A curse that grows
Missing someone is like a curse that grows stronger and stronger over time.
Big words kept in
Keeping words about one's feelings inside due to the fear of hurting oneself and others.
Whispers of dreams untold
The secret dreams that are too sensitive to share or speak out loud.
Just don't fight all the angels
One must not fight against the divine forces that help and guide us in hard times.
When you feel like you're out there on your own
At times when you feel lonely and isolated.
Know there is someone watching over you
Remember that there is always someone watching over you and guiding you.
When out at sea, feels love can let go
Being far away from someone you love, it feels like the love might fade away.
Oh sailor, we will blow the wind right
The singer is addressing the sailor and promises to help steer the ship in the right direction.
But if you die out there, tearing you into two
If the sailor were to die out at sea, it would be like cutting them in two and causing immense pain.
I hope you know that you could sail right on
Although in immense pain, there is still the possibility of continuing on sailing through life without giving up.
I hope you know you got the ocean blue
The ocean and the beautiful blue sky are still there to be enjoyed and appreciated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MONICA BIRKENES, TIM ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind