The Bad Shepherds play punk songs on folk instruments. Not as a joke, but because they really like the noise. They think the songs are better than people remember. They love folk instruments. It works. They do songs by The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Stranglers The Jam, Sham 69, The Undertones, Talking Heads, Squeeze and others, even Kraftwerk! Alright, they're not all punk, but they come from roughly the same era. The songs are mostly given a kind of Celtic feel, with the odd reel and jig stuck here and there. But occassionally they just thrash! They've always thought the excitement of a reel taking off is the nearest thing to the excitement of watching punk live in the 70s!
Other musicians recording and appearing with the Bad Shapherds include Carol Dawson (fiddle), Eimear Bradley (fiddle), Keith Angel (percussion), Mark Woolley (percussion), Martin Allcock (bass), Brad Lang (bass) and Tim Harries (bass).
Their albums include:
Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Methera! (2008)
By Hook or By Crook (2010)
RISE
The Bad Shepherds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be black, I could be white
I could be white, I could be black
Your time has come, your second skin
Walk through the valley
The written work is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be black, I could be white
They put a hot wire to my head
'Cause of the things I did and said
And made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be black, I could be white
Your time has come, your second skin
Cost so high, the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
I could be wrong, I could be right
Could be wrong
They put a hot wire to my head
'Cause of the things I did and said
A model citizen in every way
Your time has come, your second skin
Cost so high, the gain so low
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be black, I could be white
Your time has come, your second skin
Cost so high, the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
I could be wrong, I could be right
Could be wrong
They put a hot wire to my head
'Cause of the things I did and said
A model citizen in every way
Your time has come, your second skin
Cost so high, the gain so low
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
The song "Rise" by The Bad Shepherds has several repeated lines, which alternate between "I could be wrong, I could be right" and "I could be black, I could be white." The song speaks to the idea that people are not defined by their race, and instead they should not be pigeonholed into one particular identity. The lyrics suggest that one's identity can be fluid and should not be restricted by the limitations that society often puts upon them.
The song also makes mention of walking through the valley and the written word being a lie. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the idea that society often tries to dictate how we should act and think, and the song is encouraging listeners not to conform to these expectations. The words "May the road rise with you" are also repeated frequently throughout the song, which can be interpreted as a wish for the listener's journey to be a positive one.
The line "They put a hot wire to my head" suggests that the singer has been subjected to some form of torture or brainwashing, likely as a result of their refusal to conform to societal expectations. Despite this, the singer still refers to themselves as a "model citizen in every way," implying that they haven't truly lost their identity or sense of self in the face of oppression.
Overall, "Rise" is a song that encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and not let societal expectations dictate their behavior or beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
I could be wrong, I could be right
There is uncertainty in life
I could be black, I could be white
There is no inherent difference between races
Your time has come, your second skin
It's time to move on to the next phase of life
The cost so high, the gain so low
The price to pay for progress may not be worth it
Walk through the valley
Overcoming challenges is necessary for growth
The written work is a lie
Not everything that is written or said is true
May the road rise with you
Wishing the person well on their journey
They put a hot wire to my head
Oppressive forces try to silence dissenting voices
'Cause of the things I did and said
Being punished because of actions and words
Model citizen in every way
Attempting to conform to societal expectations
Anger is an energy
Anger can be a driving force for change
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
paganish78
love this song . andplayed with such great raw energy
stevesm4
That is one hell of a fiddle player.
Jason Umbrellabird
You should do a Damned song. Love Song or New Rose maybe? Smash It Up?