After a brief run as a recording-only project based in Austin, founding vocalist David Yow, bassist David Wm. Sims and guitarist Duane Denison relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 1989, finding kindred spirits in recording engineer Steve Albini and the Touch and Go Records imprint. With the addition of drummer Mac McNeilly, they began operating as a live band, expanding their following beyond Chicago's alternative scene into an international audience. Drummer Jim Kimball replaced McNeilly late in 1996, and was himself replaced by Brendan Murphy two years later.
Despite releasing a split single with leading alt-rockers Nirvana and signing to Capitol Records, the band failed to find commercial success amid the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s, and disbanded in 1999. Their reunion from 2008 to 2010 and following tour enjoyed positive responses from audiences and critics.
In October 2013, The Jesus Lizard were set to play at the All Tomorrow's Parties event Release the Bats in Melbourne, Australia. They cancelled this show due to "unforeseen circumstances."
Members:
David Yow - vocals;
Duane Denison - guitars;
David Wm. Sims - bass;
Mac McNeilly - drums.
Former members:
Jim Kimball - drums;
Brendan Murphy - drums.
http://www.thejesuslizard.net
Horse Doctor Man
The Jesus Lizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Green like the Green like the naive child
You can't be ready for birth
You can't be ready for life
You can't be ready for death
You can't be ready for time
Horse doctor man will you take care of us
I lost your name but I do know your alias
Sharp like the weapons of war
Broken like the will of a slave
Cold like the eyes of a snake
You can't be ready for birth
You can't be ready for life
You can't be ready for death
You can't be ready for time
Dry like the Sharp like the Broken like the Cold like the
The Jesus Lizard's song Horse Doctor Man can be interpreted in many ways, but at its core, it is a meditation on the inevitability of life and death. The lyrics describe various states of being, from blackness and greenness to dryness and sharpness. But no matter what state one is in, no one can truly be ready for birth, life, death, or time.
The titular "Horse Doctor Man" is mentioned twice in the lyrics, and it is unclear who or what he represents. Perhaps he is a symbol of a higher power that can guide us through the uncertainties of life, or maybe he is a literal horse doctor who is being asked to take care of the singer and those around him. Either way, the singer seems to have lost contact with the horse doctor and only remembers his alias.
The repetition of the phrase "You can't be ready for" emphasizes the idea that life is unpredictable and that no matter how much we try to prepare ourselves, we will never truly be prepared. The final line of the song, "Dry like the sharp like the broken like the cold like the," adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty, suggesting that life is a series of harsh and difficult experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Black like the Black like the home of time
The color black represents a void, much like the abyss of time itself.
Green like the Green like the naive child
Green is a fresh and innocent color associated with youth, symbolizing the naivete of children.
You can't be ready for birth
There is no way to truly prepare for the unknown experience of being born into the world.
You can't be ready for life
No amount of preparation can fully equip one for the unpredictable nature of existence.
You can't be ready for death
Death remains the ultimate mystery, an event that cannot be anticipated or prepared for.
You can't be ready for time
Time is an ever-changing force that cannot be tamed, and no one can completely anticipate what it will bring.
Horse doctor man will you take care of us
The singer appeals to a figure of authority, perhaps a healer or shaman, to guide and protect them.
I lost your name but I do know your alias
The artist may not remember the exact identity of their protector, but they recognize their importance and authority nonetheless.
Dry Dry like the desert wind
The dryness of the desert and its harsh, arid winds are contrasted with the idea of fertility and abundance.
Sharp like the weapons of war
The sharpness of weapons used in battle symbolize the destructive force of war.
Broken like the will of a slave
The idea of a broken will speaks to the oppression and forced subservience of individuals or groups.
Cold like the eyes of a snake
The cold, predatory gaze of a snake reflects the innate danger and hostility found in nature.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheFeralFlicks
Thanks for the upload, broseph!
kk2355
thanks for the suggestions here to the right. coil and sonics are great
Piotr Więcek
Brilliant song! :)
DenoSoc
can't be ready :)
Surreal Tymes
Lyrics
Black like the Black like the home of time
Green like the Green like the naive child
You can't be ready for birth
You can't be ready for life
You can't be ready for death
You can't be ready for time
Horse doctor man will you take care of us
I lost your name but I do know your alias
Dry Dry like the desert wind
Sharp like the weapons of war
Broken like the will of a slave
Cold like the eyes of a snake
You can't be ready for birth
You can't be ready for life
You can't be ready for death
You can't be ready for time
Dry like the Sharp like the Broken like the Cold like the
Maharbal Barca Suren-Pahlav Pazinski
bieber