Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk
Encyclopedia
"Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk" is a song by British
psychedelic rock
band Pink Floyd
, and appears on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
(1967).
' debut song-writing credit, continually building in speed until the end and featuring frantic guitar playing by Syd Barrett
and manic keyboard parts by Richard Wright
. The song's title is a reference to John
5:8—"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." Its morbid lyrics are quite unlike anything else on the album, the rest of which was penned by Barrett
, but is characteristic of much of Waters' work; the clinical motif would recur in compositions like "Free Four
" and "Comfortably Numb
". Similarly, "Sheep
", contains more Biblical quotations adapted by Waters to fit the song.
The song parallels the title track to Waters' solo 1992 album Amused to Death
by beginning with the phrase "Doctor, Doctor".
Waters later expressed dissatisfaction with the song.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
psychedelic rock
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
band Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, and appears on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is the debut album by the English rock group Pink Floyd, and the only one made under founding member Syd Barrett's leadership. The album contains whimsical lyrics about space, scarecrows, gnomes, bicycles and fairy tales, along with psychedelic instrumental songs...
(1967).
Information
This was Roger WatersRoger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
' debut song-writing credit, continually building in speed until the end and featuring frantic guitar playing by Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
and manic keyboard parts by Richard Wright
Richard Wright (musician)
Richard William Wright was an English pianist, keyboardist and songwriter, best known for his career with Pink Floyd. Wright's richly textured keyboard layers were a vital ingredient and a distinctive characteristic of Pink Floyd's sound...
. The song's title is a reference to John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
5:8—"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." Its morbid lyrics are quite unlike anything else on the album, the rest of which was penned by Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
, but is characteristic of much of Waters' work; the clinical motif would recur in compositions like "Free Four
Free Four
"Free Four" is a Pink Floyd song written and sung by Roger Waters, from the album Obscured by Clouds.The song begins with a rock and roll count-in; but in this case Pink Floyd decided to play with words and record, "One, Two, FREE FOUR!" The song deals with themes that would become standard for...
" and "Comfortably Numb
Comfortably Numb
"Comfortably Numb" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, which first appears on the 1979 double album, The Wall. It was also released as a single in the same year with "Hey You" as the B-side. It is one of only three songs on the album for which writing credits are shared between Roger...
". Similarly, "Sheep
Sheep (song)
"Sheep" is a song by the English band Pink Floyd. It was released on the album Animals in 1977. In 1974, it was originally titled "Raving and Drooling".-History:...
", contains more Biblical quotations adapted by Waters to fit the song.
The song parallels the title track to Waters' solo 1992 album Amused to Death
Amused to Death
Amused to Death is a concept album, and the third studio album by former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters. It was released in 1992.The album title was attached to material that Waters began working on during the Radio KAOS tour...
by beginning with the phrase "Doctor, Doctor".
Waters later expressed dissatisfaction with the song.
Alternative and live versions
- It was performed live by the band in 1967. Live versions were significantly longer, with the middle section containing more of Barrett's spacey slide guitar.
- It was covered by At the Drive-InAt the Drive-InAt the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
for Steve LamacqSteve LamacqSteve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
and released along with their single "Invalid Litter Dept.Invalid Litter Dept."Invalid Litter Dept." was the third single released from At the Drive-In's album Relationship of Command. The CD release in March 2001 came in a variety of international formats, including the standard two CDs in the United Kingdom...
", and later on the compilation This Station Is Non-OperationalThis Station Is Non-OperationalThis Station Is Non-Operational is a compilation album by the El Paso, Texas-based post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released May 24, 2005 by Fearless Records, four years after the band went on indefinite hiatus...
; since the breakup of At the Drive-In, The Mars VoltaThe Mars VoltaThe Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...
has reprised the song in live shows on occasion.
Personnel
- Syd BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
– guitar and backing vocals. - Richard WrightRichard Wright (musician)Richard William Wright was an English pianist, keyboardist and songwriter, best known for his career with Pink Floyd. Wright's richly textured keyboard layers were a vital ingredient and a distinctive characteristic of Pink Floyd's sound...
– keyboards and backing vocals. - Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
– bass and vocals - Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
– drums and percussion