get out your measuring cups and we'll play a new game
come to the front of the class and we'll measure your brain
we'll give you a complex, and we'll give it a name

get out your measuring cups and we'll play a new game
can't have the cream when the crop and the cream are the same
liquid or gas no more than the glass will contain

when you talk about the hand of glory
a tale that's rather grim and gory
is it just another children's story that's been de-clawed?
when the tales of brothers Grimm and Gorey have been outlawed

i think they're gonna make you start over
you don't wanna start over
put your backpack on your shoulder
be the good little soldier
take your places now, cause we're all predisposed

measuring cups, play a new game
front of the class, measure your brain
give you a complex and we'll give it a name

when you talk about the hand of glory
a tale that's rather grim and gory
is it just another children's story that's been de-clawed?
when the tales of brothers Grimm and Gorey have been outlawed

so put your backpack on your shoulder
be the good little soldier
it's no different when you're older
you're predisposed
that's all for questions
now, the case is closed



Lyrics submitted by hemptimes

Track duration: 02:52


Measuring Cups song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:"a tale that's rather grim and gory" and
    "when the tales of brothers Grimm and Gorey have been outlawed"

    Probably one of my favourite lines ever.
    Flag lui79guion October 17, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Sigh... I used to think the ending lyrics were

    It's different when your older
    your penis grows
    that's all for questions
    now, testicles.

    I'm so happy they aren't.
    Flag schmuckoftheirishon May 28, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:You're different kid?
    Here's some meds.
    What's that, you don't need them? You're just "different"?
    Sit down, shallow, and shut up.
    Productivity is more important than creativity.
    Flag PigWingon September 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:there's a video somewhere where he talks about being diagnosed with adhd and consequently distrusting schools/institutions...prolly has a lot to do with that
    Flag aiuel44on October 24, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:It's about this very, very false and damaging idea that has consumed American education (can't speak for the rest of the world) that you can QUANTIFY someone's intelligence, like in a measuring cup, and that grades in school are an accurate ledger for success and intelligence.

    It's one song that really resonates with me personally, as someone who is a very poor student, and as someone who, regardless, values his own intelligence.

    Oh and the melody is great, too.
    Flag mr.sozeon June 02, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:I think this song is about conformity in our society and, more specifically schools. It reminds me of mindless periods of just book work and taking standardized tests.
    The song is stressing that so many people go through life without really even living because, starting from a young age, they've been molded into the cast of what a successful human being should be.
    Flag panda6027bearon May 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think he's been reading a bit of Michel Foucault, "Discipline and Punish" (or someone's rehashed version of it). Foucault: Since the late 18th century, the individual (soul, personality, etc.) has increasingly become a product of a set of disciplinary techniques found in modern institutions like schools. (in the classroom "we'll measure your brain, give you a complex, and we'll give it a name"). These same disciplinary techniques can be found to greater or lesser degree in other modern institutions like hospitals, factories, prisons, and the barracks. So Bird's connection between school and barracks: "put your backpack on your shoulder be the good little solider." The most important of these techniques is the "examination" (for example a math test, a medical exam, a productivity report, etc.), designed to create a norm, measure ("measuring cups") human beings against it, classify them, and put them in "their" place. ("take your places now, cause we're all predisposed"). And this measuring of human beings masquerades as unquestionable knowledge/truth. ("it's no different when you're older, you're predisposed, that's all for questions, now, the case is closed"). The "truth" of this way of measuring people then serves to keep existing power structures stable. I'm not sure how the "de-clawed" literature/culture verse fits?
    Flag DBDon January 25, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I adore this song.

    when you talk about the hand of glory
    a tale that's rather grim and gory
    is it just another children's story that's been de-clawed?
    when the tales of brothers Grimm and Gorey have been outlawed

    As has been mentioned before, "Hand of Glory" is the pickled severed hand of a man. Litteraly a "declawed" man. But Andrew Bird is using it to reffer to God, and the Gospel. He's asking if people treat the Gospel, Christianity, Religion, as just another children's story, declawed? Like Cinderella and the other Brother's Grimm stories that have been turned from horrific monstrosities of dark humour in the original into gentle and sweet Disney tales with little meaning.
    Flag Ethan_Mon October 26, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:For more accurate Andrew Bird lyrics and community commentary, etc. go check out:
    AndrewBird.org
    Flag JasonBuntingon April 20, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Andrew Bird..... *emphatic sigh*

    Oh yes, the song. Brilliant.

    I agree with what's been said already (for the most part), although I don't think it's solely about being "diagnosed" and labeled as kids, but later in life as well. This bit of harsh reality may begin in school, but society thrusts its preconceived notions upon us at any age.
    Flag artsluton April 17, 2007   Link

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