Pass the pen there billy bob, I'll write us up a song.
Or perhaps I'll pen a sonnet, if the melody sits all wrong.
Hand me down a crayon, and I'll draw a mighty oak.
'cause of all my brother masons, I'm the quickest with a joke.

Catch me in the right light, you'll see my shapes shaped to please.
And if I shank my trousers down, I'm hung just above the knees.

You may have difficulty catchin' breath, when you hear my weighty name.
I'm the one that told you, told you so, they calls me puddin' taine.

Now step on up to dance the dance, and touch the hand that heals.
Like the tallest hog on wall street, I'm a wheelin' all the deals.

They'll carve my face in marble, they'll etch my name in stone.
They'll paint my noble portrait, and historify my home.

You may have difficulty catchin' breath, when you hear my weighty name.
I'm the one that told you, told you so, they calls me puddin' taine.


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Puddin' Taine Lyrics as written by Les Claypool Bryan Kei Mantia

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

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Puddin' Taine song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    "And if I shank my trousers down, I'm hung just above the knees."

    That lyric right there just sells the song by itself. I find this to be one of the most fun Primus tracks to listen to, its just catchy and fun to sing-along to. God know how many times I've jammed to this in the car, making those around wonder what the hell is going on.

    The Goofyon December 12, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about saving the whales. According to Les, live.

    JAStewarton November 27, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I. Pass the pen there Billy Bob, I'll write us up a song Or perhaps I'll pen a sonnet, if the melody sits all wrong

    Intro to song. "Billy Bob" lends a "redneck" image. a person too ignorant to think for himself. he's going to write a song and tell billy bob what's up... most "billy bobs" will accept it as true. song or poem, no difference in the message as the words are what carry the power. i'm a new listener, but it seems primus' music is not limited to a set rythym one would find in a melody. he's claiming he is not just pop-artist. he should let his music speak for itself. (anti-pop)

    II. "Hand me down a crayon, and I'll draw a mighty oak 'Cause of all my brother Masons, I'm the quickest with a joke"

    he chooses "crayon" and "mighty oak" the "quickest with joke" of his "brother masons"

    crayon is the bastard child of art medium, but he’ll use it to create a masterpiece, braggart. mighty oak is conjures a strong image, steady, tried, powerful and wise, but then the joke line flips the oak to weakness. unknowledgeable, not even an acorn.

    III. Catch me in the right light, you'll see my shapes shaped to please And if I shank my trousers down, I'm hung just above the knees

    depending on when or how you perceive him, you might be pleased with what you think dislike. lights and smoke and mirrors are deceptive. Shank is phallic. and he's f'n hung. like "Big Dick" Cheney. worship the penis of baal.

    IV. You may have difficulty catchin' breath, when you hear my weighty name I'm the one that told you, told you so, they calls me Puddin' Taine

    he's bad-ass, his name alone will shake your ass scared. he gave you your knowledge, and now you know. your whole existence is based on what he told you. lies, lies, lies.

    V. Now step on up to dance the dance, and touch the hand that heals Like the tallest hog on Wall street, I'm a wheelin' all the deals

    You’re in a system of lies that you instinctively know is wrong, you'll try anything to get this new knowledge out of your head- doctors, priests, lawyers, but they’re all part of the system. where you gonna go now? Look around it’s astounding how nobody knows but for the lie that they’ve told.

    VI. They'll carve my face in marble, they'll etch my name in stone They'll paint my noble portrait, and historify my home

    The powerful (puppetmasters, elite, rulers, cocksuckers) will always be in power. status quo. to the victors go the spoils. history is written by the victors, and unfortunately, the victors of war usually win by cheating. manipulate and control with no honor. they will call themselves heroes and you will accept it as truth. (2+2=5) that's what your textbook said, it must be right, right? we're talking real life heroes here, c. columbus, g. washington, tt. jefferson, r. regan, g. bush, kings in a totalitarian type system called democracy. false idols for you to dote about. puppets and scenes in a play. enjoy the grandest tale ever written as you debate with your father about Bush's idiocy and Clinton's blow job. You’re as much a part of it as they are, you just allow them to make money off of you and tell you how to live. silly distractions from the truth, forever carved in the system's stone. Mount rushmore sized gods. see also hollywood/television celebrities (models of physical and existential truth) , pro athletes (a bunch of grown up peewee league bullshit)... do you see?

    do you know?

    Which pill is for you? Down and down it goes the frowning clown of anti-knowledge.

    be careful how you answer.

    Perceive and analyze. i don't know anything other than my perception, but the site asked what I thought... Hit me up if you wanna talk: chaz_kenney_3@hotmail.com

    impetuosoulon September 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah I heard that thing on my "Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People" but i'm pretty sure he's kidding. I think it's about some guy who thinks he's the shit and that he's just really smart and things like that.

    Petary791on March 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    There is a few oDd references in this sonce. I beileve the guy above me is onto somthing with the guy being a know it all. But I believe the guy is not blowing smoke up anyone's ass and really is someone people look up to.

    There is also the line: 'Cause of all my brother Masons, I'm the quickest with a joke

    Perhaps the Character Puddin Taine is someone who is repesected in his masionic order since he admits he is a Mason. Or perhaps he is someone to be compared with Paul Bunyun, just a character of tall tales.

    iconofsinon March 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ha ha - you rock The Goofy!

    I can relate to you on all your points outright man!

    The Distortedon May 09, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think les may have been making subtle references,, or at least had in mind, 'hippolite taine' a french philosopher/thinker (late 1900's) one of the leading exponents of positivism... les has obviously put his own twist on this but you'll notice there are no negativities about any of the lyrics in this song i may be wrong look into it for yourself..... intrested to hear other opinions on this theory

    denseon February 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Actually dense I doubt he's making a reference to a french philosopher. I live in the south, and when I was growing up there was a smart-ass saying if someone asked your name it was "Puddin'taine, ask me again I'll tell you the same" I think there were a few more sayings like that too, but I can't remember them right now.

    Donkeykongon June 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What the hell does Puddin' Taine mean (literally)?? Les also uses the expression in Sgt. Baker...something like:

    "Sgt. Baker, here again. And if you calls me puddin' taine I'll stop you down, boy"

    In that context it's an insult, but in this song it's a name of greatness? wtf?

    goldsacon October 26, 2007   Link

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