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)
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Drifting
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
water running over me
Ten weeks I’m becalmed
the serpent evil charm
I’m waiting for the wind to blow
for King Neptune mercy to show
Drifting in this calm
I’m waiting I wonder why
the seagulls above me cry
So in solitude
solitude we will drift
Till Neptune does this curse lift
My mouth is dry
my mouth is parched
Will this day be my last
King Neptune save our souls
or are we food for fishes shoals
We’re drifting
please give us a sign
I’m praying to the divine
In water soon we will sink
water without a drop to drink
The sun just keeps beating down
soon I know I shall drown
Oh Neptune please hear my plea
save our souls master please
On the day that I do die
the wind blows strong the seagulls cry
The Tiger Lillies's song "Drifting" is a hauntingly beautiful and sorrowful ballad about being lost at sea. The singer is adrift on a calm sea for ten weeks, and he's under a curse that's represented by a serpent's evil charm. He's waiting for the wind to blow and King Neptune's mercy to show. The singer is puzzled by the seagulls' cries that he hears above him, and the solitude he experiences is a significant part of the song's mood. He then prays to King Neptune to save his soul before he dies, as he's running out of water. Finally, the wind blows strong, the seagulls cry, and the singer realizes that he might die soon.
The song is a creative representation of someone's struggle for survival while lost at sea. The lyrics are metaphors for feeling lost and alone in life. The serpent's evil charm could represent any bad habits or situations that prevent one from moving forward in life. Waiting for mercy from King Neptune can be compared to waiting for a lucky break or a stroke of good luck to get out of a difficult situation. The seagulls could represent the people around us, who may or may not understand our struggles.
The mood of the song is somber and reflective, echoing the singer's predicament. The melody is slow and melancholy, adding to the tune's contemplative theme. The lyrics masterfully convey the message of the song, and the vocals are powerful.
Line by Line Meaning
Drifting in a calm sea
I am adrift in a sea that is quiet and motionless.
water running over me
The water is flowing over my body.
Ten weeks I’m becalmed
I have been stranded for ten weeks, without wind to move me.
the serpent evil charm
There is a malevolent force holding me in this state of inaction.
I’m waiting for the wind to blow
I am hoping for a breeze to come along and set me free.
for King Neptune mercy to show
I am asking for the mercy of the sea god, Neptune.
Drifting in this calm
I am still drifting, stuck in this state of calm.
on the serpent evil charm
The evil charm still has its hold on me.
I’m waiting I wonder why
I am waiting and pondering the reasons for my predicament.
the seagulls above me cry
The seagulls are making mournful sounds overhead.
So in solitude
I am alone.
solitude we will drift
I will continue to drift alone.
Till Neptune does this curse lift
I will remain adrift until Neptune takes away this curse.
My mouth is dry
I am thirsty.
my mouth is parched
My throat is dry and uncomfortable.
Will this day be my last
I am questioning whether I will survive this ordeal.
King Neptune save our souls
I am once again addressing Neptune, asking for help.
or are we food for fishes shoals
I am questioning whether we are destined to become food for fish.
We’re drifting
We are still adrift.
please give us a sign
I am asking for some kind of signal or indication of what will happen to us.
I’m praying to the divine
I am turning to a higher power for help.
In water soon we will sink
I fear that soon we will be underwater.
water without a drop to drink
The seawater around us is not drinkable.
The sun just keeps beating down
The sun is intense and unrelenting.
soon I know I shall drown
I am afraid that I will soon perish by drowning.
Oh Neptune please hear my plea
I am once again calling out to Neptune for help.
save our souls master please
I am pleading with Neptune to save us from our fate.
On the day that I do die
I am contemplating my own death.
the wind blows strong the seagulls cry
As I face my end, the wind picks up and the seagulls make a mournful sound.
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.