The Tiger Lillies are a three-piece band, formed in 1989 by singer-songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴The Tiger Lillies are a three-piece band, formed in 1989 by singer-songwriter Martyn Jacques and based in London.
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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Reap What You Sow
The Tiger Lillies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

He's got to have a hobby
He's got to have a vice
It's just that his hobby
Well, it isn't very nice.

He tells you don't tell no one
Or else you're gonna die
Scars them for a lifetime

And every night they cry

Well both of his daughters
His wife she didn't know
Ruins all their lives
But has to though

And I saw him in the court room
The tears ran from his eyes
Were they a crocodiles
I wouldn't be surprised

Now his life is over
He's out of prison though

I told him I told him
You reap what you sow

Overall Meaning

The Tiger Lilies, in their song “Reap What You Sow,” tell the story of a man who has a dark hobby that he keeps hidden. This hobby is so unpleasant that he cannot disclose it, but he continues to engage in it despite the harm it causes to others. He warns anyone he confides in that if they reveal his secret, they will be penalized with death. The man’s actions leave an enduring effect, causing his daughters and wife to experience a lifetime of hardship.

The singer witnessed the man in the courtroom, where he shed genuine tears for the first time, implying that he had not expressed authentic emotions during his lifetime. The nature of his tears is questionable, implying whether they were genuine or only an act to sway the judge in his favor. In the end, the man's wrongdoing catches up with him. He was sent to prison, and even though his imprisonment ended, he could not escape the consequences of his behavior. The singer advises him that he will harvest what he sowed.

Line by Line Meaning

He's got to have a hobby
He needs something to occupy his time

He's got to have a vice
He also needs a bad habit or indulgence

It's just that his hobby
The activity he chooses

Well, it isn't very nice.
Is not pleasant or morally acceptable

He tells you don't tell no one
He instructs you to keep a secret

Or else you're gonna die
Threatens severe consequences if the secret is revealed

Scars them for a lifetime
Leaves a lasting emotional wound

And every night they cry
They suffer and feel intense sadness

Well both of his daughters
His two female children

His wife she didn't know
His spouse was unaware of his actions

Ruins all their lives
Completely destroys their existence and future prospects