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Writer's pictureQi Heng

"Farm Talk" by Shai Linne

Updated: Feb 1

Came across this song (rap) today. Have always been impressed how he can contain so much content (theological or otherwise) in each song.




The full title of the song is Farm Talk (A Modern Parable). Modern in a sense that it's a commentary on what we see happening in the world today. Guess who are the characters meant to represent? (Hint: I guess I'd be Mr. Frog)

Also, thoughts on the two endings?


Here are the lyrics found on Genius.com:


[Verse 1]

Once upon a time in a land full of charm

There lived a great Man and this Man owned a farm

We'll call Him Farmer, He did no one any harm

Built the entire farm with the strength of His arm

One day, something happened that was cause for alarm

It started with the conversation held inside the barn

Between a horse, a hog, a chicken, and a frog

Late at night, away from the thickness of the fog

It wasn't the first meeting, they met many times before

Inclined to pour into each other behind the door

Which was a portal for moral lessons, important questions

The normal expression of this would be formal addresses

Where each was unleashed to give a speech to teach

Or even preach in order to impeach or beseech

The first to speak on this particular evening was the hog

He began by acknowledging the horse, chicken, and frog


[Verse 2: Mr. Hog]

To my distinguished guests, thanks for lending me your ears

To me, it's clear you've been dear peers for many years

I've been wanting to speak for a minute, but I have been limited by my fears

Here's the gist: everything is not as it appears

My dear Mr. Horse, Ms. Chicken, Mr. Frog

I know that when you look at me, what you see is a hog

But since I can remember, I've never felt like a hog

In the deepest part of me, I've always known I was a dog

For instance, when I'm happy, I love wagging my tail

And I never like the slop Farmer smashed into my pail

I prefer dog biscuits, I sneak them after dark

While my friends prefer to oink, I just have to bark

Long story short, I have a few things to announce

As much as I love the barn, my proper dwelling is the House

In order for me to get there, I have to make some changes

The very first thing is adjusting what my weight is

I'll stop eating slop and as an overachiever

I'll shrink down to the size of a golden retriever

I know I can be the best friend that's lacking for the daughter

Instead of just settling, being fat and for the slaughter

I'll have a chat with Farmer, surely He will make time

By the way, I'm - from here on out - to be called K9

This concludes my speech then, no place for being subtle

I welcome all agreement, but please save your rebuttals

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[Verse 3]

Having made a passionate plea for his cause

The hog stepped down to near unanimous applause

After this, the chicken made her way to the podium

She said


[Verse 4: Ms. Chicken]

I'm honored to participate in this symposium

I know I am not alone when I say I'm moved with delight

What a great time for K9 to speak his truth tonight

I support him wholeheartedly from the deepest soul's part of me

And I will go hard indeed to help old Farmer see

That K9 should absolutely have the House as his home

That being said, I have an announcement of my own

It's slightly different, but it's still kind of like my friend

At the time that I hatched, I was assigned to be a hen

And hens are always female, 'cause we provide the eggs

Don't sleep on this detail, we're treated like the dregs

Through troughs, we are fed, we're costed and bred

They take all of our eggs and it's off with our heads

A pitiful existence, it is so consistent

With Farmer's literal malignance, this is my resistance

You were in my corner when I was born a hen

Now I declare myself a male chicken, 'cause I've been born again

I'll have a chat with Farmer, surely He will make time

And see my great mind when I confront Him along with K9

The righteous resistors will surely be the victors

And I'm no longer your sister, friends, you can call me Mister


[Verse 5]

Having made a passionate plea for her cause

The chicken stepped down to near unanimous applause

After this, it was the horse who approached the stage

He said


[Verse 6: Mr. Horse]

I've seen a lot of things in my older age

I'll keep my comments very brief, so I don't have to bore you

Bottom line - K9, Mr. Chicken, I'm happy for you

Our lives are so very short on this farm today

Whatever makes you happy, I support you all the way

Plus, who does Farmer think He is trying to place limitations

On you when you have the power of self-determination?

It's you and you alone who will define your purpose

If He wants thoughtless animals, He can find the circus

I'll use the rest of my time just to say that I'm appalled

At Mr. Frog, the only one who did not applaud

If you do not affirm these animals, then shame on you

Make plain your view, 'cause you got some explaining to do


[Verse 7]

With the horse having called out the frog's nonchalance

All eyes were on the frog, waiting for a prompt response

From his soon-to-be former friends, he felt mad scorned

Once his words had formed, he stepped up to the platform

He said


[Verse 8: Mr. Frog]

Listen, guys, I'm not here to cause any trouble

Besides, Mr. Hog, I mean K9, said no rebuttals

I didn't seem enthused, you perceive me to be aloof

But what kind of friend would I be if I didn't speak to you the truth?

Honestly, I have a different view, I must confess

But my disagreement doesn't mean I love you any less

It seems to me that you're confused concerning what is real

And that reality to you is determined by what you feel

That logic is mistaken, though, let's just take it slow

Just because you feel that something's true, it doesn't make it so

Like Mr. K9, let's say you feel you can fly

If you jumped off a cliff in your zeal, you would die

Mr. Chicken, you might feel you belong down in the ocean

But if you dove in, you would drown in your devotion

No matter how much you try to quack, you'll never be a duck

He oinks, he neighs, I ribbit, you cluck

As far as going to the House, I love you enough to warn you

Unless you want some karma, do not confront the Farmer

'Cause whatever you endeavor to propose by imitation

Farmer has the power to expose your limitation


[Verse 9]

When the frog was finished speaking, the horse was so enraged

That he lifted up his hind hooves and kicked him off the stage

He flew so far away that they never saw him again

The group was all ashamed that they ever called him a friend

His vivid intolerance on exhibit made them livid

They never thought that with his ribit, he could be a bigot

With the frog out of the way, time for the plot to commence

Catastrophic events forthcoming with lots of suspense

They'll hop the fence with the mob of friends, if He's not convinced

They'll knock some sense into the Farmer and stop His defense

If Farmer met their demands, they wouldn't have to pounce

Just set Mr. Chicken free, let K9 in the House

They waited a couple months for K9 to drop the weight

Found many other animals willing to cooperate

At the appointed time, all were gathered in the barn

With K9 as the leader of the Animal Farm

He gave a rousing speech and when it was dark and late

He led them through the gate up to the Farmer's estate

When they got to the door, the horse gave a knock

The door flung wide open and K9 was in shock

It was the Farmer's child, His Son meek and mild

The rage against the Farmer made the animals go wild

Without hesitation, exerted all their power

Attacked the poor Child and He was murdered and devoured


[Viewer and shai]

Oh, man, shai, you can't end it like that, man

Why not?

That's crazy, that's a horrible ending

What you want, a Hollywood ending?

Ah, c'mon, you gotta do something else, man

Are you serious?

Can you end it another way, please?

A'ight, a'ight, check this out


[Verse 10]

At the appointed time, all were gathered in the barn

With K9 as the leader of the Animal Farm

He gave a rousing speech and when it was dark and late

He led them through the gate up to the Farmer's estate

When they got to the door, the horse gave a knock

The door flung wide open and K9 was in shock

The Farmer had His gun, animals start to run

K9 and Mr. Chicken shot down, one by one

The very next morning, after the Man awakened

The Farmer had chicken, waffles, eggs, ham, and bacon


[Viewer and shai]

Hahahaha

You happy?

I mean, I guess that's a little better

It's still kind of dark, man

Yeah, it is

I don't, I don't understand, like... like, how does this all tie together?

Well, actually, they're-they're both kinda true

Let me explain how

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