The band was originally conceived as a side project. The Weiss brothers and Kleinberg were playing together in another band called The Operation (who released one album, 2001's There Is Hope for a Tree Cut Down, on Takehold Records), but Aaron wanted to start another band to experiment with new sounds. After picking up Rick Mazzotta on drums and Ray Tadeo on bass, Kleinberg and the Weiss brothers released their first EP (I Never Said That I Was Brave) in 2001 and shortly thereafter signed to Tooth & Nail Records after a show at Cornerstone Festival the same year. An even earlier six song demo EP called Blood Enough For Us All has also surfaced, apparently having been recorded in 2000.
Around this time Tadeo had moved on, Daniel Pishock picked up as the bass player, and The Operation disbanded soon afterward. mewithoutYou's debut full-length album, A→B: Life, was released in 2002. The band garnered more attention for their sophomore release, 2004's Catch for Us the Foxes, which was produced by Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Fire Theft). In December of 2004 Pishock had made a decision to retire as the bassist for the band and former Operation frontman, Greg Jehanian, was selected to replace him. In 2005, mewithoutYou won mtvU's "Left Field" award for most original artist. Their third album, Brother, Sister, again produced by Wood, was released on September 26th, 2006. Their fourth album, it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright, produced by Dan Smith of Danielson, was released May 19th, 2009. Their fifth album Ten Stories, produced again by Dan Smith of Danielson, was independently released May 15th, 2012. Their sixth LP is set to be released in 2015 on Run for Cover Records.
mewithoutYou has released videos for "January 1979" and "Paper Hanger", from Catch for Us the Foxes, with the help of Red Van Pictures this past year, and one for "Bullet to Binary" from A→B: Life. They have recently released a video for "Nice and Blue, Pt. 2" from Brother, Sister, directed by Shane Drake. A video for "The Fox, the Crow and the Cookie" from It's All Crazy! has recently been released.
mewithoutYou is:
Aaron Weiss - Lead Vocals
Michael Weiss - Guitar
Brandon Beaver - 2nd Guitar
Greg Jehanian - Bass Guitar
Richard Mazzotta - Drums
Official homepage: http://www.mewithoutyou.com
http://www.myspace.com/mewithoutyou
A Stick A Carrot & String
mewithoutYou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
our Lord was born to a manger bed
that all whose wells run dry
could drink of his supply
to keep him warm the Sheep drew near,
so grateful for his coming here:
You come with news of grace,
come to take my place!
the Donkey whispered in his ear:
Child, in thirty-some-odd years,
you'll ride someone who looks like me
(untriumphantly)
while the Cardinals warbled a joyful song:
He'll make right what man made wrong
Bringing low the hills
that the valley might be filled!
then Child, asked the birds,
well, aren't they lovely words we sing?
the tiny Baby lay there
without saying anything
at a distance stood a mangy Goat
with crooked teeth and a matted coat,
weary eyes and worn, chipped & twisted horns
thinking:
Maybe I'll make friends some day
with the Cows in the pens and the Rambouillet,
but for now I'll keep away -
I got nothin' smart to say
but there's a sign on the barn in the Cabbagetown:
WHEN THE RAIN PICKS UP
AND THE SUN GOES DOWN,
SINNER, COME INSIDE!
WITH NO MONEY, COME AND BUY
NO CLEVER TALK NOR GIFT TO BRING
REQUIRES OUR LOWLY, LOVELY KING
COME, ALL EMPTYHANDED
YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING
the night was cool and clear as glass
with a sneaking Snake in the garden grass
Deep cried out to Deep,
the Disciples, fast asleep
the snake perked up when he heard you ask:
if You're willing that this cup might pass
I could find my way back home,
maybe start a family all my own...but
does not the Father guide the Son?
not my will but Yours be done!
what else here to do?
what else me but You???
and the snake who'd held the world,
a stick, a carrot and a string
was crushed beneath the Foot of
Your not wanting
anything
The lyrics of mewithoutYou's song "A Stick a Carrot & String" paint a vivid scene of Jesus' birth and capture the perspective of various animals present during that event. The song highlights the humility and grace of Jesus, who was born in a lowly manger, providing hope and salvation to those in need.
The opening lines describe how Jesus' birth in a manger was a display of selflessness and a source of salvation for the spiritually thirsty. The Sheep draw near to keep Jesus warm, grateful for his arrival, while the Donkey whispers to Jesus that he will eventually ride someone who resembles the Donkey but without triumph. This could be a reference to Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, emphasizing his humility and lack of earthly triumph.
The Cardinals, in their joyful song, proclaim that Jesus will make right what mankind has made wrong, bringing down the hills to fill the valleys. Through this, Jesus will rectify the imbalances and injustices of the world. However, despite the beautiful words sung by the birds, the baby Jesus remains silent, perhaps suggesting that actions speak louder than words.
Meanwhile, a mangy Goat stands at a distance, feeling out of place and unsure of making friends with the more privileged animals. The Goat ponders its own inadequacies but notices a sign on the barn in Cabbagetown, inviting sinners to come inside without money or clever talk, because Jesus, the lowly and lovely King, requires nothing from them.
The song takes a turn as it shifts to the scene of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays to God, expressing his willingness to follow His will, even if it means enduring suffering. The sneaking Snake in the garden grass, representative of temptation and evil, listens attentively to Jesus' words, realizing that it will be crushed under Jesus' desire for nothing but God's will.
In summary, "A Stick a Carrot & String" lyrically explores the themes of humility, grace, salvation, and the surrender of personal will to follow God's plan, all set against the backdrop of Jesus' birth and his ultimate sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
the Horse's hay beneath his head
The humble and simple circumstances of our Lord's birth.
our Lord was born to a manger bed
Jesus was born in a lowly and unassuming place.
that all whose wells run dry
Jesus' birth and presence provides a source of spiritual nourishment and sustenance for those who are spiritually empty.
could drink of his supply
Through Jesus, people can find fulfillment and satisfaction for their spiritual thirst.
to keep him warm the Sheep drew near,
The sheeps represent followers of Jesus who are grateful for his coming and offer their support and protection.
so grateful for his coming here:
The sheep are appreciative of Jesus' presence among them.
You come with news of grace,
Jesus brings a message of God's grace and love.
come to take my place!
Jesus comes to fulfill the role of a savior, dying for the sins of humanity.
the Donkey whispered in his ear:
The donkey foreshadows Jesus' future as a rider on a donkey, symbolizing humility and peacefulness.
Child, in thirty-some-odd years,
The donkey predicts Jesus' future ministry that would begin in around thirty years.
you'll ride someone who looks like me
Jesus will ride on a donkey, similar to the donkey speaking to Him.
(untriumphantly)
Contrary to popular expectations, Jesus' ride on a donkey will not be triumphant in the worldly sense.
while the Cardinals warbled a joyful song:
The Cardinals, symbolizing divine messengers, sing a song of joy and hope for the redemption brought by Jesus.
He'll make right what man made wrong
Jesus will correct the mistakes and sins of humanity.
Bringing low the hills
Jesus will humble the proud and exalt the humble.
that the valley might be filled!
Through Jesus' actions and teachings, the outcasts and marginalized will find acceptance and fulfillment.
then Child, asked the birds,
Jesus speaks to his disciples, who are represented by the birds.
well, aren't they lovely words we sing?
Jesus asks his disciples if they appreciate the beautiful message of redemption and grace they proclaim.
the tiny Baby lay there
Jesus, as a baby, remains silent in the midst of the conversation.
without saying anything
Jesus does not need to speak in order to convey his message and purpose.
at a distance stood a mangy Goat
The goat represents an outsider who feels isolated and longs for companionship.
with crooked teeth and a matted coat,
The goat's appearance reflects its troubled and neglected state.
weary eyes and worn, chipped & twisted horns
The goat's physical characteristics further convey its weariness and struggle.
thinking: Maybe I'll make friends some day
The goat hopes for future connection and acceptance.
with the Cows in the pens and the Rambouillet,
The goat imagines finding companionship among the other animals in the barn.
but for now I'll keep away -
Due to its personal insecurities and lack of confidence, the goat chooses to distance itself from others.
I got nothin' smart to say
The goat feels inadequate and unable to contribute anything meaningful to the conversations or interactions.
but there's a sign on the barn in the Cabbagetown:
A sign in the barn signifies a message of invitation and inclusion.
WHEN THE RAIN PICKS UP
During difficult times and challenges.
AND THE SUN GOES DOWN,
When darkness and uncertainty prevail.
SINNER, COME INSIDE!
A call to sinners to seek refuge and solace in the presence of God.
WITH NO MONEY, COME AND BUY
Material possessions or wealth are not necessary to access spiritual blessings and grace.
NO CLEVER TALK NOR GIFT TO BRING
One's wit or offerings hold no value in receiving God's love and acceptance.
REQUIRES OUR LOWLY, LOVELY KING
Only the humble and genuine heart of a person is welcomed by Jesus, the King.
COME, ALL EMPTYHANDED
Everyone is invited to approach God without any merits or accomplishments.
YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING
God's grace and love are freely given without the need for anything in return.
the night was cool and clear as glass
The atmosphere and setting of the scene.
with a sneaking Snake in the garden grass
Referencing the biblical serpent and the presence of evil.
Deep cried out to Deep,
A cry of longing and connection between the depths of the singer's soul and God.
the Disciples, fast asleep
The disciples, representing spiritual followers, are unaware and lacking spiritual awareness.
the snake perked up when he heard you ask:
The serpent pays attention to the artist's plea for guidance and help.
if You're willing that this cup might pass
The singer seeks God's will regarding a challenging situation or path that they wish to avoid.
I could find my way back home,
The singer hopes to find their true purpose and fulfillment.
maybe start a family all my own...but
The artist desires a stable and fulfilling life but recognizes the need to align their will with God's.
does not the Father guide the Son?
Affirming the trust and reliance on God's guidance and will.
not my will but Yours be done!
Submission to God's plan and surrendering personal desires.
what else here to do?
Acknowledging the singer's dependency on God for guidance and purpose.
what else me but You???
Recognizing the artist's identity and purpose lies solely in God.
and the snake who'd held the world,
The serpent, representing evil and temptation, had a grip on the world.
a stick, a carrot and a string
The serpent used various tactics and enticements to deceive and manipulate.
was crushed beneath the Foot of
The defeat and victory over evil through the actions and sacrifice of Jesus.
Your not wanting anything
Jesus' victory over evil was not driven by personal desire or gain, but rather out of selflessness and love.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing, TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind