Expert: Jason Musgrove - 9/1/2007

Question
So, I have this tiny clip of an SP song titled "Methusula"...the lyrics start:
What'd your father say to you, when you reached the hill...
I love this song and was wondering if you had any more info on when it's from and whether or not I could find a full version (or is mine, clocking in at 1:28, the entire song?)
Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi Amanda,

Yep, here's some info on Methusela.  I got this info from the songlist at http://www.spfc.org

Methusela was recorded in 1994 in Pumpkinland, SP's own recording studio in Chicago.  This song is found on a rehearsal tape, dubbed the Mellon Collie Electric Demos. This tape was apparently given to D'arcy to learn the then-new songs. Most tracks on it were instrumentals, with the exception of Methusela and a couple of others.

Here are the complete lyrics:

what'd your father say to you
when he reached right thru you
did he say the things that we had learned
from his father too
so when do you become your own man
become your own
or are you just a shadow of something whole

we are chinese boxes
equal parts sweat and blood
where do i begin and end up
saw those eyes staring right back upon me

so tell me what you need
i'll be watching out for you
there are no enemies
only dangerous friends
you grew up very fast
i didn't think i'd miss a thing
'course nothing ever lasts
a wise old man
a wise young fool
a wise young man
a wise old fool

try to understand
(a wise old man, a wise young fool)
(notice me, comfort me, understand me)
just try to understand
(a wise old man, a wise young fool)
(notice me, comfort me, understand me)

what'd your father say to you
to turn you cold
father never quite grew up
he just grew old
and if i was to say to you
you know i love him still
would you think less of me
for him hating me

we are chinese boxes
equal parts sweat and blood
we are so unconscious
saw those old eyes staring right back at me

so try to understand
i'm just like you and you are me
exactly who i am
might escape you always
for fortunes of a man
are the debts of the son always
a wise old man
a wise young fool
a wise young man
a wise old fool

You can find a full version (clocking in at just over 4 mins.) here: http://www.thepumpkins.net/music/music_-_mellon_collie_demos_ii.html

Enjoy! :)