The person's name is taken from the British legend of Lady Godiva, a noble English lady who rode naked through the streets of Coventry.
In the second half of the song, Cale and guitarist Sterling Morrison do vocal impersonations of various surgical instruments, including a drill and a wooden leg.
John Cale - vocals, viola
Lou Reed - guitar, vocals
Sterling Morrison - bass guitar, backing vocals
Maureen Tucker - percussion
Lady Godiva's Operation
The Velvet Underground Lyrics
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Pats the head of another curly haired boy, just another toy
Sick with silence she weeps sincerely
Saying word that have oh so clearly been said
So long ago
Draperies wrapped gently 'round her shoulder
Life has made her that much bolder now
That she's found out how
Pride and joy of the latest penny faire
Pretty passing care
Hair today now dipped in the water
Making love to every poor daughter's son
Isn't it fun
Now today propping grace with envy
Lady Godiva peers to see if anyone's there
And hasn't a care
Doctor is coming the nurse thinks sweetly
Turning on the machines that neatly pump air
The body lies bare
Shaved and hairless what once was screaming
Now lies silent and almost sleeping
The brain must have gone away
Strapped securely to the white table
Ether caused the body to wither and writhe
Underneath the white light
Doctor arrives with knife and baggage
Sees the growth as just so much cabbage
That now
Must be cut away
Now come the moment of Great! Great! Decision!
The doctor is making his first incision
One goes here - one goes there
The ether tube's leaking says someone who's sloppy
The patient it seems is not so well sleeping
The screams echo up the hall
Don't panic someone give him pentathol instantly
Doctor removes his blade
Cagily slow from the brain
By my count of ten
The head won't move
The Velvet Underground's "Lady Godiva's Operation" is a haunting and surreal track that tells the tale of a woman who undergoes a mysterious surgical procedure. The song's lyrics are cryptic and dreamlike, with vivid imagery and stream-of-consciousness wordplay. The opening lines introduce Lady Godiva, who is dressed modestly and petting a curly-haired boy. She is described as being "sick with silence" and weeping sincerely, which suggests she has been holding in deep emotions for a long time.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that Lady Godiva is undergoing some kind of operation or medical procedure. She is surrounded by doctors and nurses, and her body is described as being "shaved and hairless" and "strapped securely to the white table." The lyrics are dark and unsettling, implying that the procedure is invasive and possibly experimental. The verses are interspersed with distorted guitar solos and eerie backing vocals that add to the song's eerie atmosphere.
The chorus of "Lady Godiva's Operation" is the repeated phrase "the head won't move," sung in a droning, almost robotic tone. This line suggests that the surgery has caused some kind of paralysis or brain damage. The song ends with an extended guitar solo and the sound of medical machinery beeping in the background.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Godiva here dressed so demurely
A woman named Lady Godiva is dressed modestly.
Pats the head of another curly haired boy, just another toy
She touches the head of a young boy with curly hair who she considers to be just another trivial thing in her life.
Sick with silence she weeps sincerely
Despite her quiet despair, she sheds genuine tears.
Saying words that have oh so clearly been said so long ago
Lady Godiva speaks words that have been said before and are now stale.
Draperies wrapped gently 'round her shoulder
Cloth hangs softly around her shoulder.
Life has made her that much bolder now that she's found out how
Through experience, Lady Godiva has become braver and more courageous.
Dressed in silk, Latin lace and envy, pride and joy of the latest penny faire
She is wearing luxurious clothing and is the envy of others at a penny fair.
Pretty passing care
She is not worried about anything, just living her life beautifully.
Hair today now dipped in the water, making love to every poor daughter's son
She washed her hair and is sleeping around with anyone.
Isn't it fun
She enjoys this lifestyle.
Now today propping grace with envy, Lady Godiva peers to see if anyone's there and hasn't a care
Today she puts on a show of beauty and looks to see if anyone is watching without any concern.
Doctor is coming the nurse thinks sweetly, turning on the machines that neatly pump air
A doctor is coming and the nurse calmly prepares the medical equipment.
The body lies bare
The body is exposed and uncovered.
Shaved and hairless what once was screaming, now lies silent and almost sleeping
The person who was once loud and full of life is now calm and nearly unconscious.
The brain must have gone away
The person's mind is no longer functioning properly.
Strapped securely to the white table, ether caused the body to wither and writhe underneath the white light
The person is safely secured to a white table and the ether used as anesthesia caused their body to move unnaturally.
Doctor arrives with knife and baggage
The doctor comes with their equipment.
Sees the growth as just so much cabbage that now must be cut away
The doctor sees the problem area as something that must be removed like cutting cabbage.
Now come the moment of Great! Great! Decision!
It is a pivotal moment that requires immense decision making.
The doctor is making his first incision, one goes here - one goes there
The doctor begins to cut in the specific places required for the operation.
The ether tube's leaking says someone who's sloppy, the patient it seems is not so well sleeping
Someone is not doing their job correctly and the patient is not resting comfortably.
The screams echo up the hall
The patient screams in agony and it can be heard throughout the hall.
Don't panic someone give him pentathol instantly
Someone requests for a specific drug to be given to the patient right away.
Doctor removes his blade cagily slow from the brain
The doctor removes the blade slowly and carefully from the patient's brain.
By my count of ten, the head won't move
The patient will die when counted to ten.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind