The Grand Pecking Order
Oysterhead Lyrics


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In the Grand Pecking Order
Where is it you stand
Under foot of swollen bastards
Or on the neck of another man
At the grand feeding table
Are you sitting near the head
Or the corner by the bathroom
Where you're asked to pass the bread
And you pass it with a smile on your face
For to pout about would only bring disgrace
To the Grand Pecking Order
In the grand pecking order
Where is it you lie
Are you the tall hog at the trough
Or a piglet in the stye
On the grand ladder of life
Are you near the highest rung
Or somewhere near bottom
With your nose in hairy bung
And you sniff it with a smile on your face
For to pout about would only bring disgrace
To the Grand Pecking Order
And you're dancing with a smile on your face




For to stand about would only bring disgrace!
To the Grand Pecking Order

Overall Meaning

The Grand Pecking Order is a song by the supergroup Oysterhead that comments on the hierarchical nature of human society. The lyrics suggest that we all occupy a certain place in the "grand pecking order" of social status, and that this status decides our position at the "grand feeding table" of life. The song poses a series of questions to the listener, asking where they stand in relation to those around them. Are they "under foot of swollen bastards" or "on the neck of another man"? Are they "sitting near the head" or "the corner by the bathroom"? The idea seems to be that we all occupy different positions in society, and that these positions contribute to our overall happiness and wellbeing.


The lyrics suggest that it is better to maintain a positive attitude and "pass the bread with a smile on your face" than to complain or rebel against our place in the social order. The line "For to pout about would only bring disgrace" reinforces the idea that we should accept our position and embrace it with a positive attitude. The song concludes with the message that we should "dance with a smile on your face" and avoid "standing about" as this would only bring shame to ourselves and our place in the Grand Pecking Order.


Line by Line Meaning

In the Grand Pecking Order
The hierarchy of power and status that exists within a group or society.


Where is it you stand
Where do you rank within that hierarchy?


Under foot of swollen bastards
At the very bottom, oppressed and subjugated by the powerful and corrupt.


Or on the neck of another man
In a position of power, standing on top of others to maintain that power.


At the grand feeding table
In the place where the powerful gather to reap the rewards and privileges of their status.


Are you sitting near the head
Are you in a position of power and influence at that table?


Or the corner by the bathroom
Or are you pushed aside to the margins, where you have no real power or voice?


Where you're asked to pass the bread
Even if you have no real power, you are still expected to serve those who do.


And you pass it with a smile on your face
You pretend to be content with your position, despite the fact that you are being exploited.


For to pout about would only bring disgrace
If you were to complain or protest, you would face even more oppression and ridicule.


Where is it you lie
What is your status within the hierarchy?


Are you the tall hog at the trough
Do you have absolute power and control over others, exploiting them for your own benefit?


Or a piglet in the stye
Are you lower down the hierarchy, but still benefiting slightly from the system?


On the grand ladder of life
The metaphor of power and status now expanded to life in general.


Are you near the highest rung
Are you a part of the privileged elite, enjoying all the benefits of society?


Or somewhere near bottom
Are you among the oppressed masses, struggling to survive with little to no power?


With your nose in hairy bung
Even if you're at the bottom, you're expected to accept your position and not complain.


And you sniff it with a smile on your face
You pretend to be content with your position, despite the fact that you are being exploited.


And you're dancing with a smile on your face
In order to maintain the facade of contentment, you put on a show even in the midst of oppression.


For to stand about would only bring disgrace!
If you were to stand up and protest, you would be punished and ridiculed even more.


To the Grand Pecking Order
The system of hierarchy and power that demands conformity and obedience, even from those who are oppressed by it.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LES CLAYPOOL, ERNEST ANASTASIO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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