Guru
Plants and Animals Lyrics


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My leader told me to jump in the river
The river was deep and the weather was winter
After a sailer very kindly saved me
My leader told me, you'd better take it easy
I took it so easy my leader called me lazy

Through the lack of red meat
Everything was getting hazy
Friends looked at me and said
Man, you gotta be crazy oh, oh leader

My leader said son you'd
Better get yourself together
Never mind the fools who know
What we're getting into
But a forty mile walk would do
Us both a world of good
And he sat down and watched me
Take off down the road

Well, I walked so far my feet began to bleed
If this was good for me
I just couldn't see it
A motorist picked me up and said
Look man, you must be crazy

Oh, oh leader oh, oh leader

My leader came to see me in a hospital bed
Well at least I really knew
That my leader really cared
After giving me a second hand roach
He said where's your donation man
It's all for a good cause

He left me all alone to work the riddle out
But I just couldn't make it
So I began to shout
They stuck a hypodermic deep down into me
Said, look out nurse I think we got a loony
Oh, oh leader okay baby follow me now
Follow your leader all right

Now here I sit in a state-run asylum
Limitless, friendless but much more together
I decided to do some good book readin'
About the art of people leadin'

Now I'm the leader and they're being led
What's the matter if they're crazy till
You hear what I've said
Being the leader is really where it's at
But just how long can a good thing last

Oh, oh leader oh, oh leader

Now listen to this baby
This is the year of the guru
Now the thing to do is to ask yourself




What can a guru do for me?
Then you say to yourself i gotta get a guru

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Plants and Animals' song "Guru" depict a narrative about the singer's experiences with a charismatic leader who guides them through a series of questionable instructions. The song depicts a journey of blind loyalty, disillusionment, and ultimately, a shift in power dynamics.


The opening lines, "My leader told me to jump in the river, The river was deep and the weather was winter," set the stage for the singer's obedience to their leader's commands despite the potentially dangerous consequences. The leader's authority is evident as they dictate the singer's actions without question. However, as the story progresses, doubts begin to emerge.


The singer's dedication is challenged when their friends express concern, suggesting that they are "crazy" for blindly following the leader's instructions. Further questioning arises as the singer endures physical hardships, such as walking for forty miles and experiencing bleeding feet. This prompts the motorist who picks them up to question their sanity. It becomes evident that the leader's influence may not be entirely beneficial.


The turning point occurs when the singer finds themselves in a hospital bed, abandoned by their leader. The disillusionment becomes apparent as they realize the leader's lack of genuine care and the ulterior motives behind seemingly generous gestures. This realization leads to a shift in power dynamics, as the singer decides to become a leader themselves.


In the final verses, the singer reflects on their newfound position of leadership and questions the longevity of their own power. The song ends with a mention of the "year of the guru," suggesting a broader commentary on the prevalence and influence of charismatic leaders in society.


Line by Line Meaning

My leader told me to jump in the river
My leader instructed me to take a risk and face challenges head-on


The river was deep and the weather was winter
The obstacles were overwhelming and the circumstances unfavorable


After a sailer very kindly saved me
I was rescued by a compassionate stranger


My leader told me, you'd better take it easy
My leader advised me to relax and not push myself too hard


I took it so easy my leader called me lazy
I embraced a laid-back approach, leading my leader to criticize me for being inactive


Through the lack of red meat
Due to avoiding certain indulgences


Everything was getting hazy
My judgment and mental clarity were deteriorating


Friends looked at me and said
People around me expressed concern


Man, you gotta be crazy oh, oh leader
They believed I must be out of my mind


My leader said son you'd
My leader addressed me like a father


Better get yourself together
It was advised to regain composure and stability


Never mind the fools who know
Ignore those who discourage or doubt us


What we're getting into
The path we have chosen


But a forty mile walk would do
However, a long and challenging journey would be beneficial


Us both a world of good
It would greatly benefit both of us


And he sat down and watched me
My leader observed my actions


Take off down the road
As I began my journey


Well, I walked so far my feet began to bleed
I pushed myself to the point of physical harm


If this was good for me
Despite it supposedly being for my own good


I just couldn't see it
I couldn't understand its true value


A motorist picked me up and said
A passing driver offered me a ride and expressed disbelief


Look man, you must be crazy
They believed I must be insane


My leader came to see me in a hospital bed
My leader visited me when I was hospitalized


Well at least I really knew
At least it was evident


That my leader really cared
That my leader genuinely showed concern


After giving me a second hand roach
After offering me a used marijuana cigarette


He said where's your donation man
He asked for a contribution to a cause


It's all for a good cause
Emphasizing the purpose of the donation


He left me all alone to work the riddle out
He left me to ponder and solve the mystery


But I just couldn't make it
I couldn't succeed


So I began to shout
I expressed frustration and desperation


They stuck a hypodermic deep down into me
Medical personnel administered an injection


Said, look out nurse I think we got a loony
They referred to me as mentally unstable


Oh, oh leader okay baby follow me now
Expressing obedience and willingness to follow the leader


Follow your leader all right
Continuing to emphasize the importance of following the leader


Now here I sit in a state-run asylum
Now I find myself confined in a government institution for the mentally ill


Limitless, friendless but much more together
Feeling unrestricted yet lacking companionship, yet more mentally coherent


I decided to do some good book readin'
I chose to engage in enriching literature


About the art of people leadin'
Specifically focusing on the skill of guiding others


Now I'm the leader and they're being led
Now I have assumed the role of the leader and others are under my guidance


What's the matter if they're crazy till
It doesn't matter if they're mentally unstable as long as


You hear what I've said
They listen to and obey my instructions


Being the leader is really where it's at
Being in a position of leadership is highly desirable


But just how long can a good thing last
However, the longevity of this favorable situation is uncertain


Now listen to this baby
Now pay close attention


This is the year of the guru
This is the time when gurus are highly influential


Now the thing to do is to ask yourself
Now you need to reflect on


What can a guru do for me?
How a guru can benefit you


Then you say to yourself i gotta get a guru
Then you realize the importance of finding a guru for yourself




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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