Currently Martyn Jacques, Adrian Stout, Adrian Huge (Past member Phil Butcher)
Their surreal style has been described as dark, darkly humorous, strangely humorous, Brechtian, and gypsy cabaret. They are also notorious for singing controversial songs involving bestiality, prostitution and blasphemy.
The Tiger Lillies were originally buskers, playing songs about the criminals, pimps and whores of Soho, London, England. Over time, the band became involved in several theatrical productions around the world, including the critically acclaimed Shockheaded Peter. Known for their intense, outlandish, and dark performances, they have garnered both controversy and critical acclaim.
Also "The Tiger Lillies", "The Tigerlilies" and "The Tigerlillies" may refer to Indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio that formed in 1989.
Bio:
Cincinnati's power pop stalwarts the Tigerlillies formed in 1989 and set out to fuse glam rock, roots rock, and post-punk into an aesthetic they called "More Pop than Jesus." Led by vocalist/guitarist Pat Hennessy, the band also included former members of the Chrome Cranks, the Candy Snatchers, and G.G. Allin & the Murder Junkies before settling on the lineup of Hennessy, guitarist/vocalist William Weber, bassist Brian Driscoll, and drummer/vocalist Steve Hennessy.
Discography:
Deep (1992)
Space Age Love Songs (1997)
Ceci N'est Ces Pop (2003)
https://facebook.com/TheTigerliliesUSA/
https://myspace.com/tigerliliesusa
Cabin Boys
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but the breeze fills up my sails
Cabin boys I annoy
well they know how not to fail
Take 'em all one by one
well a pervert must have fun
Give 'em wood it does 'em good
You're gonna be what you will be
and it is no good to fight
I don't feel bad I don't feel sad
I fuck them it's my right
A callous sod some think I'm odd
but a man must have his fun
So I sigh to sea and sky
as my blood runs
When I die it will be hot
destination Hell I got
Cabin boys they make me sin
I drown my guilt I am in
If you ask I feel shame
and my guilt causes pain
But though that guilt does try again
my lust does rise for pain
Then again I have my fun
and once again my evil comes
With that lash I them slash
otherwise there'll be no cash
Then I'll be back on the deck
fuck with me and you I'll wreck
I'm the sadist with a lash
cabin boys their backs I slash
Cat o'nine tails oh what fun
I know how to treat the scum
But now I am down below
and submission's what they show
I too must have fun
so cabin boy your job is done
(Cabin Boys)
When your blood runs
The Tiger Lillies's song Cabin Boys is a hauntingly raw and disturbingly vivid portrayal of a sadistic pirate who takes pleasure in sexually abusing the cabin boys on the ship. The lyrics are written from the point of view of the pirate himself, highlighting the justification he is able to create in his own head in order to carry out these horrific acts. The first verse sets the scene of the pirate's drunkenness and how he is able to take advantage of the cabin boys under his control. The line "Give 'em wood it does 'em good" suggests that he believes he is doing them a favor by sexually assaulting them.
The second verse shows the pirate trying to justify his actions by claiming that he is simply living his life and having fun. He believes that it is "no good to fight" against who he is, even though he admits to feeling guilt and shame. He has succumbed to his own desires and sees himself as entitled to do whatever he wants, regardless of the harm it causes.
The final verse is particularly disturbing as it describes the pirate's sadistic tendencies and his willingness to lash out against the cabin boys. He takes pleasure in their pain and even sees it as a form of entertainment. The last line underscores the desperation and carnality of the pirate's existence, stating that "when your blood runs" (meaning when you are aroused), anything goes.
Line by Line Meaning
Drunk on rum what a bum
Being drunk on rum and having few possessions makes me appear as a poor person
but the breeze fills up my sails
Despite my current situation, I still have the power to change my course with the help of the wind
Cabin boys I annoy
I am entertained by teasing and irritating those in a lower position than me
well they know how not to fail
Despite my teasing, the cabin boys are aware of their duties and perform them adequately
Take 'em all one by one
I indulge in perverse acts and take advantage of the cabin boys
well a pervert must have fun
I make no apologies for my perverse actions
Give 'em wood it does 'em good
I force the cabin boys to engage in sexual activities as I know it brings them pleasure
I know they could be my sons
Despite the age difference, I engage in perverse acts with the knowledge that it could be seen as a father-son relationship
You're gonna be what you will be
People are who they are and cannot change, so it is pointless to fight or resist their nature
and it is no good to fight
Resisting one's true nature is futile
I don't feel bad I don't feel sad
I have no regrets or remorse about my actions
I fuck them it's my right
I believe I have the right to engage in perverse activities with others
A callous sod some think I'm odd
Some may view me as emotionally insensitive and strange for my actions
but a man must have his fun
I justify my perverse actions as a necessary form of entertainment for myself as a man
So I sigh to sea and sky
I express my pleasure in perverse acts while gazing out at the sea and sky
as my blood runs
I become more aroused from my perverse acts
When I die it will be hot
I believe I will go to hell for my actions after I die
destination Hell I got
I am convinced I will end up in hell as a result of my perverse behavior
Cabin boys they make me sin
The cabin boys are the source of temptation that leads me to commit sinful, perverse acts
I drown my guilt I am in
To rid myself of the guilt that comes with my actions, I drink myself into a stupor
If you ask I feel shame
If someone were to ask, I would admit to feeling ashamed of my actions
and my guilt causes pain
Despite my attempts to drown out my guilt, it still causes me emotional pain
But though that guilt does try again
Even though I feel guilty, I can't resist engaging in perverse acts again
my lust does rise for pain
My perverse desires grow stronger, even when it causes me emotional pain
Then again I have my fun
Despite the guilt and shame, I indulge in perverse acts again
and once again my evil comes
Each time I engage in perverse acts, I become more consumed by my perverse impulses
With that lash I them slash
I use a whip to cause physical pain to the cabin boys as a form of punishment or enjoyment
otherwise there'll be no cash
I use the threat of punishment to ensure the cabin boys continue to perform their duties and bring in money
Then I'll be back on the deck
After indulging in perverse acts, I return to my duties on the deck of the ship
fuck with me and you I'll wreck
Anyone who tries to interfere with my perverse acts or authority will face consequences
I'm the sadist with a lash
I enjoy causing pain to others and use a whip as a tool for this purpose
Cabin boys their backs I slash
I punish the cabin boys by whipping their backs as a form of discipline
Cat o'nine tails oh what fun
I express my enjoyment of using a whip with nine tails to cause pain
I know how to treat the scum
I look down on the cabin boys and believe they deserve punishment for their lower social status
But now I am down below
Despite my position of authority, I am currently below deck
and submission's what they show
The cabin boys currently show submission and obedience to me
I too must have fun
I justify engaging in perverse acts as a necessary form of enjoyment for myself
so cabin boy your job is done
After engaging in perverse acts, I tell the cabin boy he is no longer needed for the time being
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.