The Old Ceremony — Poison Pen
Album: Our One MistakeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 223
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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.I just read that the lyricist studied literature and taught English; in this song you really can tell. Love it!
Giselle62 wrote:
Nice!
edit: RIP Howard Zinn.
This is a good song, and I just read the lyrics—-People's History of the United States meets Three Penny Opera.
Nice!
edit: RIP Howard Zinn.
Made me stop and walk and look to find artist. I like.
"The laws of man were not handed down.. they were written by our own hand, - with a poisoned pen."
As always, the lunch is naked.
"The laws of man were not handed down.. they were written by our own hand, - with a poisoned pen."
As always, the lunch is naked.
This is a good song, and I just read the lyrics—-People's History of the United States meets Three Penny Opera.
Rather enjoy this. Play more of their music Please. Think they'd be really good to see live.
We hold these truths so near to our hearts,
We wave them like flags when trouble starts.
We deal them out like a stacked deck of cards
To the hungry:
That all men are free,
All men are wise,
All men except the ones we despise,
The ones who must beg and steal to survive...
We wave them like flags when trouble starts.
We deal them out like a stacked deck of cards
To the hungry:
That all men are free,
All men are wise,
All men except the ones we despise,
The ones who must beg and steal to survive...
please follow up with Poisen Pen by the Hoodoo Gurus!
yap
philinnz wrote:
philinnz wrote:
I could imagine Nick Cave singing (is it singing he does) this
I know it's late here in the East, but RP doesn't need to put filler in the mix. Quite disappointing. I was waiting for Liza Minnelli to jump in with a verse.
I could imagine Nick Cave singing (is it singing he does) this
The chorus sounds (to me anyway) like Ben Folds Five. Not a bad tune...
jenakle wrote:
Yes! Minus the random not-really-british accent
Yes! Minus the random not-really-british accent
lmic wrote:
Yep.
Much "between the lines" in these lyrics, especially if you know law and history (and the history of law).
As I sit here studying for the California Bar - I have to laugh!
Yep.
Much "between the lines" in these lyrics, especially if you know law and history (and the history of law).
lame
I expect better songs, this one's lame!
Geecheeboy wrote:
i hope your crescent moon and palmetto tree reside in a just prosperous and propitious location
otherwise also exists
I don't agree with the bitter sentiment, but I do like the bounce.
i hope your crescent moon and palmetto tree reside in a just prosperous and propitious location
otherwise also exists
peter_james_bond wrote:
Yes, I thought it was the Decemberists.
Yes! Minus the random not-really-british accent
Yes, I thought it was the Decemberists.
Yes! Minus the random not-really-british accent
I don't agree with the bitter sentiment, but I do like the bounce.
So glad to see TOC on RP! 
Alafia wrote:
Yup.
Tragic.
This song has contracted that rare rapid aging disease, Progeria.
It's getting old fast...
This song has contracted that rare rapid aging disease, Progeria.
It's getting old fast...
Yup.
This tune is growing on me.
sfearll wrote:
Yes, I thought it was the Decemberists.
very theatrical...
Yes, I thought it was the Decemberists.
Tragic.
This song has contracted that rare rapid aging disease, Progeria.
It's getting old fast...
This song has contracted that rare rapid aging disease, Progeria.
It's getting old fast...
As I sit here studying for the California Bar - I have to laugh!
The plan was to rate it a 6 but the comments pushed it up to a 7. How about that.
I like it. Quirky.
Very likeable and reminiscent of some of the old european cafe stuff I used to like. If you can find it chek out Anne Pigalle or Floyd Thursby and the Chosen Few.
Even thought there were touches of Weddings Parties Anything at points.
Is this supposed to be profound?
- station change
socalhol wrote:
Something about their delivery reminded me of Leonard Cohen - so much in fact I went to allmusic.com to see if he had wrote the lyrics or not! He didn't, they give credit to the members of Old Ceremony - BUT a funny thing I happened to notice was that Leonard Cohen's 1974 album is titled "New Skin for the Old Ceremony" — so perhaps they are fans and named their band after part of this Cohen album title...
I think that's a certainty. The Old Ceremony has a new album out, Walk On This Air, which is quite good. As with this song, the lyrics are literate in the Leonard Cohen style. I wasn't able to find it on CD from the usual sources, only as MP3s.
This is off the beaten path, and gets a solid 8 from me.
I keep liking this more and more, for oh so many reasons.
Camper Van Beethoven much?
Is this the dude from Cake? This is really intriguing.
I don't like Cake but I like that guy's voice. Weird. I know.
I don't like Cake but I like that guy's voice. Weird. I know.
Something about their delivery reminded me of Leonard Cohen - so much in fact I went to allmusic.com to see if he had wrote the lyrics or not! He didn't, they give credit to the members of Old Ceremony - BUT a funny thing I happened to notice was that Leonard Cohen's 1974 album is titled "New Skin for the Old Ceremony" — so perhaps they are fans and named their band after part of this Cohen album title...
I like & am intrigued. Play more! 
coy wrote:
Neither Hank Paulson nor Tim Geithner would disagree.
this sounds like the guggenheim grotto guy
oh my...
...We hold these truths so near to our hearts,
We wave them like flags when trouble starts.
We deal them out like a stacked deck of cards
To the hungry:
That all men are free,
All men are wise,
All men except the ones we despise,
The ones who must beg and steal to survive.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men...
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
oh my...
...We hold these truths so near to our hearts,
We wave them like flags when trouble starts.
We deal them out like a stacked deck of cards
To the hungry:
That all men are free,
All men are wise,
All men except the ones we despise,
The ones who must beg and steal to survive.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men...
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
Neither Hank Paulson nor Tim Geithner would disagree.
I hate to be drawn into the "this sounds like..." morass... but this sounds deeply reminiscent of a late-80s Aussie band called The Triffids. And a bloody good show too - I love this sound.
Have to say I'm also hearing Elbow?
Have to say I'm also hearing Elbow?
I don't normally pay attention to lyrics, but these lyrics are great. Perhaps they caught my ear since I'm a history buff.
very theatrical...
Well, now, this is certainly an ear-grabber.
Must check them out further...
Must check them out further...
this sounds like the guggenheim grotto guy
oh my
Well, we needed some help
Tearing down these trees.
Our numbers were few,
Withered down by disease.
We sent messengers home.
We begged on our knees that winter.
And soon ships arrived to Charleston Bay.
Savages sold to those who could pay
To carry our loads, to work night and day.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men.
They were written by our own hands.
They were written by our own hands.
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
Well, all the amber waves of grain
The forests proud, the dusty clay
Bow down before the mighty trains of iron
All the words are a-cast,
But the meanings the same.
Those who are proud,
They will someday be lame.
And all that is wild will someday be tame.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men.
They were written by our own hands.
They were written by our own hands.
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
We hold these truths so near to our hearts,
We wave them like flags when trouble starts.
We deal them out like a stacked deck of cards
To the hungry:
That all men are free,
All men are wise,
All men except the ones we despise,
The ones who must beg and steal to survive.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men.
They were written by our own hands.
They were written by our own hands.
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
They were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
oh my
Well, we needed some help
Tearing down these trees.
Our numbers were few,
Withered down by disease.
We sent messengers home.
We begged on our knees that winter.
And soon ships arrived to Charleston Bay.
Savages sold to those who could pay
To carry our loads, to work night and day.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men.
They were written by our own hands.
They were written by our own hands.
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
Well, all the amber waves of grain
The forests proud, the dusty clay
Bow down before the mighty trains of iron
All the words are a-cast,
But the meanings the same.
Those who are proud,
They will someday be lame.
And all that is wild will someday be tame.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men.
They were written by our own hands.
They were written by our own hands.
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
We hold these truths so near to our hearts,
We wave them like flags when trouble starts.
We deal them out like a stacked deck of cards
To the hungry:
That all men are free,
All men are wise,
All men except the ones we despise,
The ones who must beg and steal to survive.
And the laws of this world
Were not handed down to men.
They were written by our own hands.
They were written by our own hands.
The were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
They were written by our own hands
With a poison pen.
I appreciate the eclecticism within the song
Interesting! Is this the first time this has been played? I like it!! 
Camper Van Beethoven-ish!!
Camper Van Beethoven-ish!!