The Most Serene Republic released its debut album, Underwater Cinematographer, in 2005 on the Arts & Crafts label. They are the first band on the A&C label that isn't related in one way or another to Broken Social Scene (though Ryan and Adrian perform sometimes in their live shows). They later released a tour EP in spring/summer of 2006, titled Phages, capturing more of the sweep of their live performances.
Originally formed in mid-2003 as a duo (Lenssen and Jewett) known as Thee Oneironauts (O-nye-rawn-nauts). The pair would quickly record and self-release an EP entitled Night of the Lawnchairs on Lenssen's GROK Studios imprint. The Oneironauts grew to trio status with the addition of Greaves on keyboard and guitar.
Their live shows are known for being extremely entertaining, and intense with dancing, and cramming so many sounds to overload the senses.
Sherry and Her Butterfly Net
The Most Serene Republic Lyrics
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Then go to the next harlot
Sherry's young and can't ask why
So she'll keep looking fine, being lost and catching flies
Little known her throat has time
What's it matter, games are forever
Tries to the singer of the book she writes
Now she can't now she can't tell time
Respects to the burst and the electric wires thirst
Over to the sprawl and the talk of to the hand
Our creams were hit by the squints in chemicals first
Second a reduce of mysterious land
Randomness of tendencies sherry, has typed you gone like text
My how you miss your attention, the lull spans width of chest
She's rich here and they're poor there so
When numbers grow and shrink who cares
Randomness of tendencies sherry, has typed you gone like text
My how you miss your attention, the lull spans width of chest
Yes we eat, yes we shop, yes we sleep and yes, we talk
All this yes and none this makes restless war on park ground snow
You yes much want do can anything you
All the walls are gone, so go kick the rocks
The Most Serene Republic's song, "Sherry and Her Butterfly Net," is a complex and abstract piece that is open to interpretation. The opening lines prompt the listener to play the song for the first minute and then move onto the next "harlot," suggesting that there are many other songs and distractions to be found. The lyrics then focus on Sherry, a young woman who is "lost" but "looking fine." The line "Little known her throat has time" suggests that Sherry has a lot to say but is unable to speak out or ask questions. The following line, "What's it matter, games are forever," seems to convey a sense of futility or helplessness.
Sherry tries to reach out, perhaps to the "singer of the book she writes," but is bored and unable to tell time. The lyrics then shift to a series of loosely connected phrases that suggest a world in chaos: "Respects to the burst and the electric wires thirst / Over to the sprawl and the talk of to the hand / Our creams were hit by the squints in chemicals first / Second a reduce of mysterious land." The randomness and disjointedness of these lines reinforce the sense that the world is confusing and fragmented.
The song ends with a somewhat hopeful message: "All the walls are gone, so go kick the rocks." This line seems to suggest that despite the chaos and confusion of the world, there is still freedom to be found and small victories to be won. Ultimately, the song remains open to multiple interpretations and invites the listener to ponder the complexities and contradictions of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Play this song for its first minute one
Listen to this song for one minute
Then go to the next harlot
Move on to the next thing without much thought
Sherry's young and can't ask why
Sherry is young and doesn't question things
So she'll keep looking fine, being lost and catching flies
She focuses on her appearance and catching trivial things
Little known her throat has time
Unknown to her, she has time and potential
What's it matter, games are forever
She thinks that games (or temporary distractions) are always available and don't matter much
Tries to the singer of the book she writes
She attempts to impress the author of the book she is working on
Boredom is a crime
She believes boredom is a bad thing
Now she can't now she can't tell time
She can no longer keep track of time
Respects to the burst and the electric wires thirst
Acknowledges the power and energy of electricity
Over to the sprawl and the talk of to the hand
People talk without really listening or caring
Our creams were hit by the squints in chemicals first
Our natural products were replaced by synthetic chemicals
Second a reduce of mysterious land
As a result, we've lost our connection to the natural world
Randomness of tendencies sherry, has typed you gone like text
Sherry's random behavior has left her feeling disconnected
My how you miss your attention, the lull spans width of chest
She misses the feeling of being noticed or appreciated
She's rich here and they're poor there so
She realizes that there is a wealth disparity
When numbers grow and shrink who cares
She sees that people don't care about the individual experiences of others
Yes we eat, yes we shop, yes we sleep and yes, we talk
We engage in basic activities like eating, shopping, sleeping, and talking
All this yes and none this makes restless war on park ground snow
All of these mundane activities make us feel restless and unfulfilled
You yes much want do can anything you
You have the ability to do anything you want
All the walls are gone, so go kick the rocks
There are no barriers so take action and do something
Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC
Written by: Adrian Jewett, Ryan Lenssen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind