Japanese Ceremonial Tea
The Electric Sons Lyrics


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This is Japanese Ceremonial Tea
It′s good on a cold day

See, our problem is, we don't really know how to stop
We got something started and we see it′s going in the wrong direction
And I think the difficulty is, to borrow an old Chinese saying
That, "When the wrong man uses the right means, the right means work in the wrong way."
In other words, there's something wrong with the way we think
And while that is there, everything we do will be a mess
Now, what is it that's wrong?

Now, as far as I can see
The basic mistake is
That we′ve invented this wonderful system
Of language
And calculation
And that it is, at once, too simple to deal with the complexity of the world
And also, we are liable to confuse that system of simples with the world itself
Just as we confuse, say, money with wealth
Lot of people are in business to make money instead of wealth
When they make money, they don′t know what to do with it
And no wonder we feel cut off from everything
Alienated, frightened of life and death
So, what has to happen is
We have to come back to a view of our own life
Which is the way we really are
An organism functioning in terms of the whole environment
With the whole environment
Instead of this funny, little, separate personality
But how are we going to do that?
You can't transform yourself
You can′t make yourself sane
You can't make yourself loving
You can′t make yourself unselfish
And yet, it's absolutely th- necessary that we be that way
If we are going to hand over the direction of nature to nature
It′s absolutely necessary

I'm not going to say what we should do
But simply, that before we think of doing anything
In this critical situation
We realize the completely illusory nature of the beings that we think we are
And get back again to the beings that we really are
Which includes




All this outside world
No longer left outside

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Japanese Ceremonial Tea" by The Electric Sons delve into the theme of self-awareness, personal growth, and the disconnect between human actions and the natural world. The song begins by referencing Japanese Ceremonial Tea as something that provides comfort and warmth on a cold day, setting the tone for introspection and contemplation.


The lyrics highlight a struggle with a sense of direction and purpose, with the realization that the way things are progressing may not be ideal. The mention of an old Chinese saying about the wrong man using the right means reflects on how even with the correct tools or methods, if the perspective or intention is misguided, the outcome can be flawed. This introspection leads to questioning what is fundamentally wrong and the need for a shift in mindset.


The song delves into the complexity of human systems such as language and calculation, suggesting that these constructs are too simplistic to fully comprehend the intricacies of the world. There is a critique of how people often prioritize material wealth over true fulfillment, leading to a sense of disconnection and fear. The lyrics emphasize the need to reconnect with our true essence as beings integrated with the environment, rather than existing as separate, ego-driven entities.


The final verses call for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, urging listeners to acknowledge the illusion of the self-created personas and embrace their interconnectedness with the external world. The message emphasizes the necessity of self-awareness and transformation to align with the natural flow of life. Ultimately, the lyrics prompt reflection on the importance of returning to our authentic selves and embracing the unity of all existence, transcending the limitations of individual identity.




Writer(s): Andrew Miller, Ben Richards

Contributed by Audrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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