Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative-rock band which consists o… Read Full Bio ↴Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative-rock band which consists of singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Josh Daubin. The band enjoyed chart success in the 1990s with singles including "Walk on the Ocean", "All I Want", "Something's Always Wrong", and "Fall Down". The band broke up in 1998 to pursue other projects but in 2006 began touring the United States again in small-venue, short-run tours. In December 2010, the band announced their official reunion as a full-time working band and started writing songs for their first studio album of new material since their 1997 Columbia Records release, Coil. Their most recent full-length album, Starting Now, was released on August 27, 2021.

Toad the Wet Sprocket was formed in 1986 at San Marcos High School just outside of Santa Barbara, California, when singer-songwriter Glen Phillips was just a 14-year-old freshman, and the other members were 17-year-old juniors. The band drew its name from the Eric Idle monologue "Rock Notes" on Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album from 1980. Their first public appearance was at an open-microphone talent contest in September 1986 (which they lost).

Toad the Wet Sprocket's first album came out in 1989. Named Bread and Circus, it was their first effort for Columbia Records, who had signed them out of high school. The album spawned the singles "Way Away" and "One Little Girl," which made the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, but did not receive much attention.

The follow-up, Pale, was released in 1990 and saw their sound mature. Featuring the singles "Jam" and the Modern Rock Chart hit "Come Back Down," the album was still not a massive success.

The band finally achieved fame with their third album, Fear (released in 1991), which became the band's first RIAA certified platinum album. Also, the singles "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean" reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1994, after years of heavy touring, the band released their follow-up to Fear, Dulcinea. This album spawned the hit singles "Fall Down", which reached #1 on the US Modern Rock charts as well as #5 on the Mainstream Rock chart, as well as "Something's Always Wrong", which also charted. This album was also certified platinum by the RIAA.

A compilation album of b-sides and rarities, In Light Syrup, was released in 1995; it included the single "Good Intentions", which was featured on the soundtrack for the television show Friends. Largely due to the strength of the single, this compilation was certified as a gold album in 2001.

The release of Coil in 1997 acted much like a follow up to 1994's Dulcinea. Featuring a more electric, rock sound, it contained the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock hit "Come Down", as well as the radio hit "Crazy Life" (which did not chart). The album, despite the success of "Come Down" as a single, failed to reach any sales benchmarks.

Toad the Wet Sprocket formally broke up in July 1998, citing creative differences. Since breaking up, the band performed together in 2002 at a Rape Crisis Center benefit and opened up for Counting Crows. In 2006 they began touring the United States as a band in small-venue, short-run tours each summer.

In 2009, bassist Dean Dinning said Toad the Wet Sprocket was now something each member considered an active project, and though they had not released a new studio album since 1997 and only did small summer tours, they no longer considered themselves "broken up". In May 2010, the band gathered at a California studio to begin re-recording some of their older hits for licensing reasons. Columbia Records owns the masters to the band's albums. Therefore, the band makes little money from them, so to be able to make a living off their own talent again, they made these re-recordings with the goal of having them used in film and TV.

On December 7, 2010, Toad the Wet Sprocket released their first new studio track in 11 years. The holiday track "It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas", a cover of a Sam Phillips original, was posted on their official site, available via Bandcamp, for free download just in time for the holidays, along with a new message on their site: "We're that band that did 'Walk on the Ocean', 'All I Want', 'Something's Always Wrong', and "Fall Down'. The one with the weird name. We're back from a long slumber and look forward to saying hello some time. Keep in touch…" The band had recently signed a deal with Primary Wave to handle their back catalog and any future releases, and on December 11, 2010, the band mentioned, both on stage and in an offstage YouTube interview, that they are currently writing songs for their first new studio album since 1997's Coil. In addition, they began playing two new songs, "Friendly Fire" and "The Moment", which were being worked on for the new album.

On April 12, 2011, Toad the Wet Sprocket released a new greatest hits album titled All You Want in digital and disc form via their official website. The 11-track CD includes brand new studio versions of their hits. The band does not have access to some of the versions they did for Columbia Records in the '90s. However, they did regain full control of the songs from their first two albums, and they planned to re-release them in remastered form on their own label, Abe's Records, following the release of their upcoming studio album.

On March 22, 2013, it was announced via Toad the Wet Sprocket's Facebook page that recording of the new album had been completed. The album was produced and mixed by Mikal Blue at Revolver Studios in Thousand Oaks, California. On June 5, 2013, the band announced the first new single in 16 years on Rolling Stone's website titled "New Constellation". An album of the same name was released on the band's own Abe's Records on October 15, 2013. The band marketed the new album via the crowdsourcing website Kickstarter. The band initially set a fundraising goal of $50,000, expecting it to take about two months to raise that amount. Instead, fans contributed more than $50,000 in less than 20 hours. When the Kickstarter campaign finally came to a close, they had raised a total of $264,762.

In 2014, Toad the Wet Sprocket resumed touring and opened a number of shows for Counting Crows. They showcased some of the new material from New Constellation, the Kickstarter-funded album, including "California Wasted" and the album's title track while playing a number of their earlier hits. During summer 2015, the band went on tour with fellow '90s acts Smash Mouth and Tonic. The band released an EP called Architect of the Ruin on June 16, 2015.

In 2018, Toad the Wet Sprocket announced that they had reissued their albums fear and Dulcinea on a deluxe remastered vinyl LP available through their online store. The same year, they also released a limited deluxe 5-LP box set of colored vinyl for their albums fear, Dulcinea and Acoustic Dance Party.

In a January 2020 interview with ChicagoNow, Glen Phillips stated that "Toad has started recording again." In addition, he confirmed the band's first official lineup change, and that drummer Guss had left the band on good terms. Previous occasional touring member Josh Daubin replaced Guss.

On September 25, 2020, they released a new song entitled “Starting Now”, followed by another new song "Old Habits Die Hard" on October 23rd, from their upcoming album, set to be released in 2021.

There's another band with the same name:

2. Toad The Wet Sprocket was an NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band active from the mid-70s to 1982. They released two singles, "Pete's Punk Song" and "Reaching the Sky", before their breakup. Their song, "Blues in A", was included on Metal for Muthas compilation (1980).

Pray Your Gods
Toad The Wet Sprocket Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I will give the secrets you request
And you will be the one to sacrifice
So lay your olive arms upon my breast
Sing the poems, free the butterflies

Pray your Gods who ask you for your blood
For they are strong and angry jealous ones
Or lay upon my altar now your love

I fear my time is short
There are armies moving close
Be quick, my love

I feel my body weakened by the years
As people turn to Gods of cruel design
Is it that they fear the pain of death?
Or could it be they fear the joy of life?

Pray your Gods who hold you by your fear
For they are quick and ruthless punishers
Or lay upon my altar now your love
I fear my day is done
There are armies moving on
Be quick, my love

Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem

Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Dona nobis pacem, pacem

Overall Meaning

The song "Pray Your Gods" by Toad The Wet Sprocket is a contemplation on faith, sacrifice, and the nature of power. In the first verse, the singer offers to reveal secrets in exchange for sacrifice, inviting the listener to sing poems and "free the butterflies" – perhaps a metaphor for the release of one's hopes and dreams through surrender to a higher power. The chorus offers a choice between praying to powerful, jealous gods who demand blood, or offering up one's love as a sacrifice. The singer is aware that time is running out, with armies moving closer, suggesting a sense of impending doom.

The second verse reflects on the origins of religion and questions why people turn to gods of "cruel design." The singer wonders if it is out of a fear of death or a fear of the overwhelming joy of life. The chorus again presents a choice between fearing the powerful gods who punish ruthlessly or offering up love. The song ends with a repeated refrain of "Dona nobis pacem" – Latin for "grant us peace" – perhaps suggesting that peace can only come through relinquishing power and embracing love.

Overall, "Pray Your Gods" is a deeply introspective song that challenges the listener to consider the motives behind their beliefs and the sacrifices they are willing to make in the pursuit of peace.

Line by Line Meaning

I will give the secrets you request
I am willing to share my deepest thoughts and desires with you

And you will be the one to sacrifice
You will be the one to make sacrifices for the sake of our relationship

So lay your olive arms upon my breast
Hold me close and let us embrace each other

Sing the poems, free the butterflies
Let us create beautiful art and express our true feelings without restraint

Pray your Gods who ask you for your blood
Submit yourselves to the gods who demand that you make great sacrifices for them

For they are strong and angry jealous ones
These deities are powerful, wrathful, and fiercely possessive

Or lay upon my altar now your love
Alternatively, you can demonstrate your love for me by pouring your heart out to me and showing me your affection

I fear my time is short
I worry that I may not have much time left, and there is a sense of urgency in everything I do

There are armies moving close
Dangerous forces are approaching, and we must act swiftly to prepare ourselves

Be quick, my love
Let us act quickly and efficiently to face whatever comes our way

I feel my body weakened by the years
I am growing old and frail, and I no longer possess the strength I once had

As people turn to Gods of cruel design
Many people are turning to gods who are cruel and malevolent in nature

Is it that they fear the pain of death?
Perhaps they worship these sinister deities out of fear of dying and what may come afterward

Or could it be they fear the joy of life?
On the other hand, it's possible that they are afraid of the joys and pleasures life has to offer

Pray your Gods who hold you by your fear
Worship the gods who have power over you through your own fears and anxieties

For they are quick and ruthless punishers
These gods will not hesitate to punish those who do not follow their will

Or lay upon my altar now your love
Show me your love and devotion, and express your feelings for me openly and honestly

I fear my day is done
My time is running out, and soon it will be too late for me to do anything else

There are armies moving on
The danger is growing closer, and there are many forces that will oppose us

Be quick, my love
We must act fast and be decisive in facing whatever lies ahead

Dona nobis pacem, pacem
Give us peace, peace

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Glen Richard Phillips, Dean V. Dinning, Randel S. Guss, Todd B. Nichols

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Walk On The Ocean2:59

02Is It For Me3:24

03Butterflies4:26

04Nightingale Song2:03

05Hold Her Down3:07

06Pray Your Gods5:03

PT5M3S

Toad The Wet Sprocket

07Before You Were Born3:44

08Something To Say4:01

09In My Ear3:10

10All I Want3:12

11Stories I Tell5:34

12I Will Not Take These Things For Granted5:46

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@johncurtis920

And the Creator looks on sadly shaking whatever it has that might pass for a head.

"I gave them the ultimate gift. I left them unbound, allowing them the Freedom to decide for themselves what they are to become. "

"So," the Divine wonders, "When will they EVER learn?"

By our actions in this our current era the answer seems to be....."Never."

So if only out of my own sensibility I choose to bow before this higher force. I bow asking its forgiveness, for we are ignorant and unwise children.

We have so wantonly spoiled this Paradise, this Eden, the Earth that we have been given. I know we deserve punishment for all that we have done.
And I know that I should not ask but please, God. Make light the blow, and allow us such wisdom as we can understand.

For this plea I declare this here. I offer up myself in sacrifice if that is what it will take to soften the blow.

Aperi corda illorum ostendere illis in via. Et da pacem

John~
American Net''Zen

All comments from YouTube:

@neuralmute

1y↑9

I haven't heard this song in probably 30 yrs, and I'm in tears now. My secret high school girlfriend gave me this tape, and would play this song on her guitar when we were together. To me, this song will always be about my first, forbidden love, love that we had to hide because of the time and place, but was somehow stronger because of it. Thank you for this. <3

@Lycius

6y↑40

This was the album I listened to, lying awake at night in an empty barracks during the first gulf war. I felt so alone. Lost. Where is everyone? There are armies moving close, be quick, my love.

@debragodinez6349

2y↑1

💗💗💗💗💗💗hugs... that had to be very hard. Thank you for your service.

@Lycius

2y↑1

@@debragodinez6349 I wouldn't say hard, just... lonely. Everyone else had shipped off. "We need one medical on base. You graduated top of your class, correct?" "Top 3, but we were 1/10th of a percent from each other." "Good enough, you're the one staying."

Anyway, I was alone in a barracks building meant for hundreds. It got dark. I read a lot, listened to music like this. I had to be around, just in case, but, yeah, definitely lonesome.

@mikeisagodd2121

2y↑1

@@Lycius @Josh Andersen thank God you're still here bro....ty for your service

@carnivaltym

❤️😭❤️

@andy3739

My favorite album of all time. Bar none

5 More Replies...

@wygakyl

15y↑58

This whole album....it still gives me chills...the world seemed so much younger....Toad's effort on this album, "Fear" is mind-blowing and life-changing. "I will not take these things for granted, anymore".

@andy3739

5y↑1

So awesome reading this. “Fear” is the most amazing album ever.

@hermesgestistruism

3y↑2

I have a deep emotional connection to this album, too. Pray Your Gods often brings me to tears. ✌️♥️

@mikematthews4465

7y↑16

This album is easily in my top 5 of all time......I first heard Toad in the fall of '93 on my way to Wilmington, N.C. for the weekend. I was hooked.....and I've never looked back. A bittersweet time in my life but will always be unforgettable thanks in large part to these guys. The 90's produced some great bands....but none better than Toad....and no better album ever came out of that decade then FEAR.

@rayri23

Mike Matthews Me Too. Top 2 though. Just beautiful!!

@mikeisagodd2121

I always put Mellon Collie of Infinite Sadness as number one but this is up there

@smckey

15y↑23

The chorus in this song has got to be one of the most powerful passages recorded. I have listened to this song countless times since it was released and still havent tired of it.

@toriboy25

5y↑12

Not only an underrated band but so is Glenn's voice and their harmonies.

@brandondebruin7088

40w

One of the most underrated bands. I'm still here in 2023

@DoomTurkey83

7y↑30

I find myself coming back to this song time and time again.

@kevinurban1963

6y↑3

truthat

@johannaalvarado9971

7y↑19

my mother had a stroke when i was 7 and this song keep playing in the radio after they rushed her to the hospital.... spent the rest of my years trying to figuer out who song this song.. this song comfort me and hunted me for years...

@Catherine-xf3pc

😢❤️

@killtheposer

10y↑56

I was a one year old when this album came out and my pops said he was playing it all the time. For some reason I dreamt of this song last night. Had no Idea who or what it was and then my dad told me the story of this album, when I found out it was pray to god. Out brains are crazy and I just had a crazy session of chills listening to them. Love it. Way ahead of their time

@lisaschroeder1499

10y↑6

I am probably you Pop's age. :) I have loved this band since they first came out but have never heard the story behind this album. Can you please share it with me?

@vance917

6y↑1

Your dad shows exquisite taste!

@prouddaughterpublishing

4y↑1

That is incredible. You just gave me chills!

@gskaloyan

15y↑19

The song that made me fall in love wth TTWS and forever make me a Glen Phillips fan. The chanting at the end is so haunting and beautiful, I still use their songs to meditate to because it's so relaxing, forget new age music, this band sends me far closer to enlightenment. ;)

@missmoxie9188

gskaloyan Dona Nobis Pacem

@VerizonEclipse

2y↑2

I bought this cd when I was sixteen because of "All I Want" and that night I heard this song, and ended up listening to it on repeat about fifty times. It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life.

@wygakyl

9y↑18

Just a beautiful song. There are very few Albums that get me this emotional, for that time in the 90's, or whatever reason.

@rayri23

wygakyl Me Too !!

@joestar6194

8y↑14

The lyrics and melody of this song give me goosebumps. Especially the " Gods of cruel design"

@ttidforever7416

2y↑5

This record made me feel seen at a time when i was fading from view in my late teens and early 20's. It was okay to be into a band that was more poetic, and intellectual without having to be unabashedly self destructive.

@smckey

14y↑4

I have heard this song countless times and still it makes the hairs on my arms stand on end when I hear it. Powerful music and lyrics.

@gio048

8y↑15

Fantastic song from a band that produced many great songs.Miss them.

@terriwilliams132

8y↑4

Santa Cruz, California 7/22/16. Free concer on the beach/ocean

@alisamadoo4024

3y↑2

Poetry. The words and music are perfect together, sheer beauty. Phillip’s vocals are so haunting they pull you right into this deceptively simple song. I love it.

@ianmor41

15y↑3

What a great song, great album and great band. Brings back so many memories.

@chaosfive55

8y↑23

I had forgotten how marvelous this song was....

@angelabradley5415

7y↑1

chaosfive55 marvelous AND wonderful and just EVERYTHING! I have been in love with this song for 26 years!!!

@chaosfive55

:) Me too!!!

@prouddaughterpublishing

Me too

@SomaSounds

15y↑3

I immediately fell in love w/ TtWS the first time I heard/purchassed this tape (yes, cassette tape). He has such a way w/ words and how he expresses them. Haunting indeed. Thank you for uploading.

@NymphTheDanube

7y↑29

Wow...hadn't heard this gem, the ending is so blissful

@angelabradley5415

7y↑4

NymphOfTheDanube gives me goosebumps! I LOVE this band, though! Have all of their stuff, they are soooo good. Another great from the same era: Better Than Ezra.

@lisajohnson521

7y↑5

Yes Better Than Ezra is one of my favs as well.Never got the recognition they deserved just like Toad.

@angelabradley5415

7y↑3

NymphOfTheDanube ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@whitewolfstudios4727

4y↑2

yeah its like a lullaby lol... fell asleep in the bath listening to this

@Catherine-xf3pc

3y↑2

I've always thought so too. 👍❤️

2 More Replies...

@brandonedgerarities1462

8y↑19

is it that they fear the pain of death, or could it be they fear they joy of life? pray your gods who hold you by your fear, for they are quick and ruthless punishers

@cindyhopeful1

12y↑1

Came back 2 this Site and Toad,it centers me.its a healing energy.what the world needs now.is love sweet love.I remember that song from my childhood and its still necessary

@TheHotbruce

10y↑12

freaken awesome song.......like getting lost in it.

@mightyV444

3y↑3

"Dona nabis pacem, pacem" - Grant us thy peace, my peace. (or something to that degree)
Playing on repeat right now, after having been off my radar for a very long time! 😊

@jat3601

2y↑1

Do you know what the high pitch voice is saying? I always wondered that... there are two melodies of Dona nabis pacem pacem then on top of that there is a high pitch melody sounds like "grant us power" but I know that cant be it

@mightyV444

2y↑1

@@jat3601 - Yeah I've always wondered, too! I have nooo idea, sorry! 😆

@jat3601

@@mightyV444 I was going through latin phrases and closest I found was Et in terra (as in heaven). I wonder... thanks!

@derekhartenstine8545

23w

"Terra" means Earth. So, it's along the lines of "And on Earth/As on Earth." Could also be "Et Æs Terra" which I believe is "and thou art the Earth."

@vernyhucalinas3791

At 44 still listening this cool bamd reminiscing highschool days one of my favorite band thank you Toad the wet sprocket

@lirazdemasure936

Same here, I'm 45.

@cdubbau135

45w

Same. I'm 42.

@cindyhopeful1

9y↑32

This song borderlines holy

@danicka

15y↑3

hauntingly beautiful.... reminds me of being curled in the cold of vinyl school bus seats

@radiumhahn9680

12y↑4

It was after hearing this song that I realized that Toad the Wet Sprocket is on a higher artistic plane then most other artists.

@kromamusic

8y↑24

Progressive metal band Fates Warning covers this song on their upcoming album - should be interesting!

@madpriest7822

8y↑9

Finally heard it, pretty awesome

@BillyCrawshrimp

3y↑3

That’s what brought me here

@loobooka

@@BillyCrawshrimpme too

@jameswilliams-of3mv

10y↑9

..awesome opening,, like Fade to Black Metallica..and a lil Great White too.. udner rated band here

@prouddaughterpublishing

4y↑2

Incredibly beautiful. Reminds me of an old English chant.

@traceynightingale7635

3y↑1

One of my all time favorite albums. I was in HS when it came out and wanted so bad to see them when they played at Rollins College. This song is chilling.

@user-ou5xd1qn7q

43w

My husband brought this cd home. He passed this past january.

@maxcunningham7377

One of the greatest poets/songwriter of his generation

@RogerSullivanNOLA

8y↑4

Incredible song.....so moving.

@toddbooth9642

7y↑1

This song always pulled at my heart strings. So dam good...

@muiscnight

9y↑14

bought the album, best 3 bucks Ive ever spent

@blakfloyd

9y↑4

+Mr Eighty Best $1.07 I ever spent two days ago. Unexpectedly moody and heartfelt album. I remember them as the guys who came out with All I Want in summer 1992 when I'd be playing Mario, Castlevania, and Contra on my SNES, then impressed the shit outta me with Walk on the Ocean, faded, reappeared with three more singles from summer 1994-95, and ultimately fell off the face of the earth. Gonna have to buy the rest of their albums very soon.

@7thangelad586

The music of the early 90’s and the SNES games at the time are also tangled in an embrace within my memories. These guys, Counting Crows, Gin Blossoms, just to name a few are seamlessly entwined with ActRaiser, Mario Kart, and most of all Final Fantasy 2/4.

@montbob100

2y↑1

gives me goose bumps every time.Very appropriate for today's times.

@user-bk4ni4oz6p

6y↑1

I remember hearing this song when I was about 8 years and it brings back memories.

@pkkason6260

6y↑1

I remember sitting out by the lake at Furman University in Greenville, SC when Toad the Wet Sprocket played and I fell in love with themm

@isaacwatrous5808

7y↑3

13 people need to pray to their gods !

@cindyhopeful1

10y↑1

I do my yoga and prayer to this song in a Buddist garden,it's sweet

@wideawake308

11y

Thanks for putting this album up... I love it, and it's great to be able to get to it where ever I am...

@Buddylove82

15y↑1

Bellissima... Toad underated!!!

@toriboy25

14y↑1

This is my fav album of all time!

@mikeslocum7330

everything on this album is perfect!!!!

@wxclim8

12y↑2

Glen Phillips has so much...I don't know if 'depth' quite covers it?? I just know his music gets to me like no one elses.

@caramason56

4y↑1

So hauntingly beautiful ❤️

@shawn1967chevelle

completely totally underrated. this song kills it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@sobradette

15y

J'aime beaucoup cette chanson... et depuis très très longtemps !

@djm8341

8y↑7

Leaders of the world, please listen to this song and stop the fucking madness...

@fantompoet

Always gives me the feels...

@jelenapavlovic2264

Absolutely beautiful song ❤️❤️❤️

@djm8341

7y↑1

What an epic song. My god...

@SewardWriter

This is one of my favorite songs to write to.

@TSmith-rl5vx

10y

Takes me way back to some good and not so good places. This song and cd is great.

@johnscoone9310

One of their best I think. Not exactly Top 40 or radio material, just a perfect song for when you're down and out.

@AngeliqueHope80

This song makes me cry.

@Lymmar

13y↑3

@domine21 You're right. Only the first 4 notes are the same as Fade the Black. Period. Its a slow picked arpeggio in the same key, but that's where the similarities end. I can't believe this discussion is even happening.

@tattoofthesun

15y

thank you so much for posting this. im too lazy to get this cd outta my car. truly amazing song.

@tombailey5413

3y↑1

How did these guys write a song when they were all 19-20 years old that still amazes me now at 56? And why did I not "discover" them until I rented the movie "Fear" with Mark Wahlberg nine years ago? That's what happens when you only listen to the bands the music industry selects to succeed because they look or act a certain way I suppose. I love all their songs but this one is my favorite.

@taylorh4480

41w↑1

it was written much earlier than it was recorded. Glen was 16 when he wrote the lyrics and the rest of the guys were 17 when the music was written. Although most of the music that they wrote and arranged for this song didn't appear on the album. Prior to being recorded for "fear" it was more of a full band rock song. You can go and watch videos of them on their current tour playing the song the way it sounded back in the 80s before they recorded it for the album. After 30 years of not playing it much live they've decided to use the original arrangement during their concerts

@AimingWanderously

I have seriously underestimated Toad all these years. I knew I liked them, but I only really knew 4 or 5 songs. Wow. This is good songwriting.

@toriboy25

This album is a masterpiece! IMO anyway :) Such underrated artist!

@gabrielg.n2156

8y↑3

Divine

@SimplyTheanthropic

14y

my favorite toad the wet sprocket song. <3

@gskaloyan

12y↑6

@CGCD It's Latin. They're chanting "Donna Nobis Pacem" which means "Grant us peace". It's used in the Catholic faith. Each ;line of chanting is Donna Nobis Pacem chanted in a different way.

@anthonyjones6982

gskaloyan enlightening I used to call this my "music to soothe the Savage beast" when people asked me what the hell I was listening to, never knew what that part was tho

@cassjane3

Thank you for the explanation. I’ve been longing for so long to know what it was, what it meant, and where it came from.

@brandonedgecovers

I actually emailed them asking wtf she was saying. The higher voice is something else but that is most of it. Finally

@depate99

8y↑4

give us peace

@philipbyars4905

11y

That is the entire truth . . . the earth aged towards oblivion these last two decades . . . peace and innocence always

@trippnsee6362

This song is playing at the gates to Heaven. I played it for, .............., you know who. The comment made was , that's it. Anyway its number one up there. The one down below is showing an interest now, just so stubborn that one, always makes me work for it. YAHWEH

@stephenniehaus8635

Their best song IMHO

@zeta1ret

11y↑1

wish these guys would produce again....man, gotta catch them live....they are tourin' on a very sparse schedule right now.

@zeta1ret

Sure nuff...years after i wrote this comment....they did!....(and I've seen them on tour 3x!)

@joechapman848

8y↑1

remember if they yes them if they contol our emotions they control us dare to brake away we our so much more we are each filled with amazing beauty

@ozzy8795

12y↑4

pray to gods for another album

@nicolewilbanks9018

8y↑11

Or lay upon my alter now your love

@FloydFreud

8y↑3

Don't hafta tell me twice!

@Catherine-xf3pc

Altar, in this instance.

@radiumhahn9680

12y↑1

Eerie and beautiful - people should listen to the lyrics they seem to warn that there is something terrible coming to those who adore cruelty. I’m a fan of the perennial philosophy found in all religions that you have to forgive and love your fellow man before you can attain enlightenment. Aldous Huxley and his book "The Perennial Philosophy" identifies common themes found in all religions arguing that a divine message reveals itself when you lay all of the worlds religions over each other.

@zippypinhead1583

Criminally underrated band...

@lauraskufca3169

you voice is so amazing that is what I think I be addicted to sound of your voice glenn I only ever like music my time no short but most elses is I not crying never meshed in this society you are very lovely in masculine ways hot glenn im 37

@derek722001

11y

Very nice song!!!

@mcgruff7355

3y↑3

We make Gods out of man,idols and addictions all these rob you. Thank you God for your sons sacrafice. .

@taylorh4480

41w

you do know the guys in the band are atheist right? This isn't a song about God. It's a song that Glen wrote about a movie he watched when he was about 15.

@bertobarto

This song and lyrics are Renaissance art.

@TheFenrir666

13y↑1

That was pretty moving ='] all that needs to be said really...

@jaimegriesbach6770

5y↑2

Be quick my love

@westyw.4235

9y↑1

"Sing the poems...free the butterflies" :) Almost as good as kitten therapy!!!

@Lamia7609

What if the kittens are humming it?

@Orleans11

I kneel before this song!

@johncurtis920

@puckdropper27

11y

I love this band and this is the first time i have heard this song. I would have never noticed the similarity to FTB if it was not pointed out here. I love FTB also, but I would have never put those guitar notes equivalent in sound

@rkr6237

What’s FTB?

@lauraskufca3169

ALRIGHT NOW I AM SERIOUSLY FOLLOWING MY HEART ON THIS ONE CATCH MY DRIFT NOW!

@tomsmith4542

I'm an atheist but this song is like a religious chant for me <3

@HistDean

11y

Amen!

@Gaawachan

12y

@raindance74 And I do enjoy this song; it is one of my favorites of Toad's.

@Gaawachan

12y

@raindance74 Because Glen Phillips has talked about it in interviews.\ "As a non-religious person, I don't know if I see a link between those who practice a particular religion and how they actually act. I see people who are able to take all of that and use it to affirm who they already are, or don't care to affirm who they are."

@raindance74

12y↑2

@Gaawachan I agree with that, but I think you're confused (or just maybe misspoken). Someone doesn't have to believe in religion to believe in the existence of God. Obviously we didn't create ourselves. Just enjoy the song for what it is, 5 minutes of ethereal bliss.

@BlayzedBlue

Very different sounding from their early stuff, but excellent.

@taylorh4480

41w

not really. It might be a little different than the stuff that they put on their first two albums but for any of us that saw them live or listened to any of the concerts from that era or had any of their demo tapes they have a ton of stuff that sounds like this🤷🏼‍♂️

@possumbly

8y↑1

This song puts me in mind of a short story by Tanith Lee called Paid Piper.

@KyleS.1987

7y↑7

Dona nobis pacem.

@missmoxie9188

What’s the rest

@caramason56

Is it that they fear the pain of death or could it be they fear the joy of life ?😌

@lkemble

10y

i like this song.
:)

@Lamia7609

11y

The guitar is different even though it's done in that same stark echo at the beginning. Fade to Black is a completely different song.

@owenenoc7658

11y

nice song

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