R.E.M. – Disturbance At The Heron House

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"They're going wild" the call came in
At early morning predawn then
"The followers of chaos out of control
They're numbering the monkeys
The monkeys and the monkeys "
The followers of chaos out of control

"They're meeting at the monument"
The call came in the monument
To liberty and honor under the honor roll
"They've gathered up the cages the cages and courageous"
The followers of chaos out of control

The call came in to Party Central
"Meeting of the green and simple"
Try to tell us something we don't know

"Disturbance at the Heron House"
A stampede at the monument
To liberty and honor under the honor roll
The gathering of grunts and greens
Cogs and grunts and hirelings
A meeting of a mean idea to hold
"When feeding time has come and gone
They'll lose the heart and head for home
Try to tell us something we don't know"

Everyone allowed, everyone allowed

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Lyrics submitted by xpankfrisst

Track duration: 03:34

"Disturbance at the Heron House" as written by Michael E./berry Mills

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Disturbance At The Heron House song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I believe this song is about the CIA "operation chaos" that infiltrated antiwar and leftist student groups in the Nixon era. I understand the cynicism to be between the infiltrators and their political bosses: they're confident the protests will come to nothing. I wouldn't assume that Stipe thinks that way.

    I also lean towards "din" not "then"
    Flag tommie222on July 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Did anyone else notice the recurring "mean idea" lyric on Document? Here it is "a meeting of a mean idea to hold," while it is mentioned in "King of Birds" as "a mean idea to call my own." Also, the theme of rebellion in this song is similar to the album opener "Finest Worksong." But while that song seemed more upbeat and hopeful, this one is darker and more realistic. Indeed, there are several running lyrical themes throughout "Document." Along with "Fables of the Reconstruction," it's the closest R.E.M. got to a concept album.
    Flag HyperBullyon December 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:OK. I just saw a wonderful R.E.M. show on 10/24/08.
    Michael was quite chatty. He confirmed the "Animal Farm" theory.

    FWIW, he also said that "Falls to Climb", from "Up" was based upon "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson.
    Flag eekahilon October 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always interpreted it as having to do with animal-rights activists releasing the critters from the zoo, and that as a metaphor for revolution in a broader sense in which we're the monkeys.
    Flag futatoriuson September 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I read that this song was about a competition run by someone to find the next band from Athens, so you had loads of wannabes meeting at the place they mentioned. People were forming bands on the spot, hence "hirelings" etc. Not sure it's actually about protests
    Flag charliereayon April 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree to "ZinbobDan" and "rikdad". Michael talks about a revolution here. Mighty people often tend to think that they can always keep poor people under control - neatly separated from each other. Yet I think that common suppression and tough exploitation can bring them together in a very strong community that is willing to fight for another world in solidarity while the mighty still think they can buy them.
    Flag DerUnbequemeon March 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:In 1991 REM played my hometown, Charleston WV, in one of only 3 shows for the Out of Time album (MTV Unplugged and a Letterman appearance the other 2). I met Stipe, Mills, Downs and .. .Billy Bragg in a pub the night before the show. neat.

    Anyway, Stipe said during the Mountain Stage show that "This song is about revolution took place around a monument that's nothing like the DuPont Factory on the edge of town. But it's a monument just the same."

    Amazingly that part of the show was only aired in WV - where it was broadcast for another hour or so. I've got the whole show on mp3 if anyone interested........
    Flag rajwoodsonon August 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Other posters probably have it right. I'll add that "Heron House" is probably a twist on the identically pronounced "Herrenhaus", which in German means a place that men meet, like an Elks lodge, etc.
    Flag rikdadon August 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it describes some kind of a protest rally,and the resulting messages between the authority people(police or governmen)
    Flag local_151_fellaon May 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it describes some kind of a protest rally,and the resulting messages between the authority people(police or governmen)
    Flag local_151_fellaon May 10, 2006   Link

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