During their tours in 1974, Pink Floyd played three new songs in the first half of the shows, followed by The Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Those three new songs were "You Gotta Be Crazy" (which would later become "Dogs"), "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Raving And Drooling".
During performances of "Raving And Drooling" a recording of a DJ at BBC Radio called Jimmy Young was played after being cut up and reassembled randomly. This was Waters' idea of a man "raving and drooling" (or being insane). The lyrics of the song at this point were quite different from the ones that were to become "Sheep". "Raving and Drooling" was originally a more jam based song, containing fewer lyrics.
Both "You Gotta Be Crazy" and "Raving And Drooling" were originally planned to be on the album following the tour (Wish You Were Here), but the plans were changed and they both ended up in different forms on Animals.
In live versions from 1977, backing guitarist Snowy White played bass guitar as Roger Waters shared electric guitar duties with David Gilmour. The performance was almost identical to the album version except that after the ending it would give way to a slower ending with Richard Wright playing an organ solo.
Starting at 6:27 and ending at 7:08, a parody of Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd...") is spoken in the background by means of a vocoder, with the words changed to suit the subject of the song.
Originally (during live shows) this was performed by Nick Mason, but on the album this was done by an anonymous roadie.
The lyrics spoken in the background are:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me down to lie, Through pastures green, He leadeth me the silent waters by. With bright knives, He releaseth my soul. He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places. He converteth me to lamb cutlets. For lo! He hath great power and great hunger. When cometh the day we lowly ones, Through quiet reflection and great dedication, Master the art of karate, Lo! we shall rise up And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water."
Sheep
Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
What a surprise
The look of terminal shock in your eyes
Now things are really what they seem
No, this is no bad dream
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by
With bright knives he releaseth my soul
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger
When cometh the day we lowly ones
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
Master the art of karate
Lo, we shall rise up
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water
Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Have you heard the news?
The dogs are dead
You better stay home
And do as you're told
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
"Sheep", which appears on Pink Floyd's 1977 album "Animals", is a song that evokes the album's overall dystopian theme of power and control, with metaphorical references to Orwell's Animal Farm. The song opens with an image of a person spending their days in the grassland, seemingly unaware of the danger lurking around them. The line "You better watch out, there may be dogs about" suggests that danger is imminent and that people need to be vigilant.
The song then moves on to describe a journey into a valley of steel, with a reference to the biblical verse "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". The phrase "He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places" suggests that people are being literally and symbolically slaughtered for their obedience. Eventually, the song moves towards a turning point, where the lowly ones rise up and challenge those in power.
The final lines of the song "Have you heard the news? The dogs are dead" and "get out of the road if you want to grow old" suggest that the revolution has succeeded, and that it's necessary to stay away from any potential danger as the world has changed.
Overall, "Sheep" is the band's commentary on authoritarianism and the portrayal of how people are easily led and manipulated by others. Pink Floyd was known for their socially conscious music, and "Sheep" takes a dark look at the state of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away
Wasting time aimlessly and without purpose in a meadow
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
Sensing a vague feeling of uneasiness or anxiety in the surroundings
You better watch out
Be cautious and alert
There may be dogs about
There could be dangerous and aggressive beings around
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Having seen the bigger picture beyond the current situation
Things are not what they seem
Things may look superficially or deceptively one way, but actually be something else entirely
What do you get for pretending the danger's not real
What is there to gain from ignoring or denying the threat that is present
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Passively and submissively following someone in power or authority
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel
Going through familiar and well-established pathways into a harsh, oppressive environment
What a surprise
Sarcastically expressing lack of amazement at something that is not unexpected
The look of terminal shock in your eyes
Utter shock and disbelief on your face
Now things are really what they seem
Things have become truly apparent and revealed
No, this is no bad dream
This is not an imaginary or unpleasant experience
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
I am content under the guidance and protection of a higher power
He makes me down to lie
I am made to rest and relax
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by
He guides me through peaceful and natural surroundings
With bright knives he releaseth my soul
He violently sets me free from my physical limitations
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
I am made to suffer and endure extreme pain and punishment
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
I am reduced to a mere commodity to satisfy His desires
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger
He possesses immense strength and infinite desire for control and domination
When cometh the day we lowly ones
If the day ever comes when the oppressed and powerless rise up
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
Through deep introspection and resolute commitment
Master the art of karate
Become skilled in self-defense and martial arts
Lo, we shall rise up
We will indeed powerfully rise up
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water
We will make the oppressor's eyes tear with fear or pain
Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream
Expressing our triumph or excitement with fervent cries and shouts
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
Successive and persistent attacks by crazed and vengeful beings
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
Merrily emerging from the shadows into the hoped-for reality
Have you heard the news?
Asking if you are aware of the latest developments
The dogs are dead
The danger or obstacle has been eliminated
You better stay home
It is safer to stay in a familiar and secure environment
And do as you're told
Obeying the authority figures or the norms of the society
Get out of the road if you want to grow old
Avoid getting involved in conflicts or challenges if you wish to survive for a longer time
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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