what is a unifaun??
LloydDbler
I was reading the lyric sheet to Selling England by the Pound and the
opening line to the song Dancing with the Moonlit Knight states " Can you
tell me where my country lies, says the unifaun to his true loves eyes" I
always thought it was uniform, what is a unifaun?? My dictionary doesn't
have a definition. Anyone know?
dwayne
Edward Antoniu
LloydDbler (lloyd...@aol.com) wrote:
: always thought it was uniform, what is a unifaun??
You're partly right. It's a word play, a pun, between 'uniform' and
'faun'.
Anyone know?
Take it away, Mr. McMahan!
: dwayne
Eddie
--
(Yes, Yes) Do we leave it unspoken (Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes) (Yes)
ant...@insl.mcgill.ca http://www.insl.mcgill.ca/~antoniu
Sheldon Levin
puddi...@aol.com (PuddinTame) wrote:
>
>There are many people on this newsgroup who have the opposite opinion
of
>this album. I wish one of these fans would post a message atempting to
>explain all the puns/slang on this album.
Scott McMahan's Genesis Discography does an excellent job explaining many
of the British phrases on this album. It's available on-line somewhere.
>
>For example, what's meant by an "old fashioned Staffordshire plate?"- a
>phrase that leads the Reverend to reply "Oh no, not me. I'm a man of
>repute...?"
This was discusses several years ago on either a.m.g. or Paperlate. It
refers to a sexual perversion of some type, can't remember exactly what.
Anyway, this whole section of the song is loaded with sexual metaphors
and puns. Example, the character name "Bob the Knob". Now, I don't know
about anywhere else, but here in the midwestern United States, to bob the
knob means to perform fellatio. There are many, many other examples
within this song.
>
>If I understood this reference perhaps I would find myself smirking
>instead of just thinking "What the @#$%?"
Smirk away.
Sheldon Levin, UGW...@prodigy.com
>
PuddinTame
Lloyddbler aksed:
>what is a unifaun??
"Selling England By The Pound" is one of my least favorite Genesis albums
because it is chock full of British slang which I don't understand(I'm
American). Similarly, there are certain words like "unifaun" which I'm
not sure means anything special to an English person.
There are many people on this newsgroup who have the opposite opinion of
this album. I wish one of these fans would post a message atempting to
explain all the puns/slang on this album.
For example, what's meant by an "old fashioned Staffordshire plate?"- a
phrase that leads the Reverend to reply "Oh no, not me. I'm a man of
repute...?"
If I understood this reference perhaps I would find myself smirking
PuddinTame
My grammar school teacher always said that if you don't the definition of
a word, you often may figure it out in the context of the sentence.
"Can you tell me where my countrie lies?" said the unifaun to his true
love's eyes.
Your guess is as good as mine.
Anton Dil
On 28 Sep 1997, PuddinTame wrote:
> Lloyddbler aksed:
>
> >what is a unifaun??
I would guess that it's a play on "unicorn" and "faun", I suppose a
combination of the two. Imagine! A faun with a single horn, perhaps? Do
fauns have horns? I forget.
ant.
Anton Dil
On 28 Sep 1997, Edward Antoniu wrote:
> LloydDbler (lloyd...@aol.com) wrote:
>
> : always thought it was uniform, what is a unifaun??
>
> You're partly right. It's a word play, a pun, between 'uniform' and
> 'faun'.
Interesting idea, but I like mine better: unicorn/faun, both mythological
animals, something Genesis was big on back then. This works much better
than uniform/faun IMO. I can't figure out what such a creature would look
like, whereas a cross between a unicorn and faun is quite easy to
imagine.
ant.
Jason Bean
PuddinTame <puddi...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970928172...@ladder02.news.aol.com>...
> Lloyddbler aksed:
>
> >what is a unifaun??
>
> "Selling England By The Pound" is one of my least favorite Genesis albums
> because it is chock full of British slang which I don't understand(I'm
> American). Similarly, there are certain words like "unifaun" which I'm
> not sure means anything special to an English person.
>
> There are many people on this newsgroup who have the opposite opinion of
> this album. I wish one of these fans would post a message atempting to
> explain all the puns/slang on this album.
>
Being from Canada, I don't understand all those puns (and I know it is full
of them) but this is a great album. It stands up there in my top 10 of all
time ..
LloydDbler
> You're partly right. It's a word play, a pun, between 'uniform' and
>> 'faun'.
>
>Interesting idea, but I like mine better: unicorn/faun, both mythological
>animals, something Genesis was big on back then. This works much better
>than uniform/faun IMO. I can't figure out what such a creature would look
>like, whereas a cross between a unicorn and faun is quite easy to
>imagine.
>
>ant.
>
>
>
>
>
unicorn be asking what has happened to our once great country? I need to know
what a unifaun is and what it means in the context of the song. C'mon I know
there are some people from the UK here, ask around for me.
Thanks
Dwayne
Lawrenson
Well clues anyway.
In article <19970929214...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
puddi...@aol.com (PuddinTame) mentions::
>"Can you tell me where my country lies?" said the unifaun to his true
>love's eyes.
It's a mythical average English person beloved of market researchers -
uniform in their attitudes, but mythical as no statisical averages ever
relate to any given individual. I quite like the possibility of the
unicorn of the coat of arms being referred to as this would give the one
made up word at least three meanings or associations (very James Joyce).
The word "lies" also has multiple meanings - in this case he's asking where
it is, but is answered in how untruths are perpetrated - so there's the
first pun of the album.
Confirmation of this is in the next line -
"It lies with me" cried the queen of maybe, for her merchandise he traded
in his prize.
He's tricked into parting with his hard earned income by the false
promises (lies) of advertising.
I know I'm taking this too seriously, but can anyone actually prove I'm
wrong?
TomBowcock
ok - heres my attempt at clarification ?
I agreee with the unicorn / faun connection for the following reasons.
A unifaun is most probably a single horned faun. I believe that the fauns as in
the Lion,the witch and the Wardbrobe was a twin horned creature.
>>but I need a little more, why would a unicorn be asking what has >>happened
to our once great country?
The Unicorn is an integral part of the Royal Coat of Arms (it is often seen
holding on side of the royal shield, with a lion on the other).
In view of the connection of the unicorn with royalty/aristocracy then it is
perhaps not surprising that it should be asking that question.
>or example, what's meant by an "old fashioned Staffordshire >plate?"- a
phrase that leads the Reverend to reply "Oh no, not me. I'm a man of
repute...?"
As I understand it, this is a reference to some kind of sexual deviancy as
spoken by a hooker. hence the response from the reverend.
Does this help clarify or muddy the waters ?
Cheers
Tom
PuddinTame
Never mind "unifaun"...why doesn't one of you "Selling England By The Pound"
fans roll up your sleeves and dissect the whole song for us?
I'm starting to get the feeling a lot of people like this album but haven't the
foggiest idea what half of the lyrics mean!
Prove me wrong, I dare ya.
:P
Edward Antoniu
LloydDbler wrote:
: > You're partly right. It's a word play, a pun, between 'uniform' and
: >
: >Interesting idea, but I like mine better: unicorn/faun, both mythological
: >animals, something Genesis was big on back then. This works much better
: >than uniform/faun IMO. I can't figure out what such a creature would look
: >like, whereas a cross between a unicorn and faun is quite easy to
: >imagine.
: >
: >ant.
: >
: >
: >
: >
: >
: unicorn be asking what has happened to our once great country? I need to know
: what a unifaun is and what it means in the context of the song. C'mon I know
: there are some people from the UK here, ask around for me.
: Dwayne
LOL! Attention, please! This is the bi-annual posting with the contents
like:
"Ok, guys, then please ask Armando Gallo since he was the one who
provided the explanations I was referring to. You can find these
explanations in Scott McMahan's 'Genesis Discography'. Please ignore my
very own name being associated to those explanations, as I'm trying to
direct you to those explanation only, and not to my self as well. Thx!"
the@group
MAC
Go Lawrenson!
I think your "proof" is valid.
Arguably, the mark of good poetry is the ability to interprete it on
different levels. . .
MAC
[snipped massively]
Jason Bean
LloydDbler <lloyd...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970930134...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
> > You're partly right. It's a word play, a pun, between 'uniform' and
> >> 'faun'.
> >
> >Interesting idea, but I like mine better: unicorn/faun, both
mythological
> >animals, something Genesis was big on back then. This works much
better
> >than uniform/faun IMO. I can't figure out what such a creature would
look
> >like, whereas a cross between a unicorn and faun is quite easy
to
> >imagine.
> >
> >ant.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Sorry, both are admirable attempts, but I need a little more, why would
a
> unicorn be asking what has happened to our once great country? I need
to know
> what a unifaun is and what it means in the context of the song. C'mon I
know
> there are some people from the UK here, ask around for me.
>
> Thanks
>
> Dwayne
>
Maybe you're trying to interpret the song too much. I mean it's just a song
and might not have any real deep interpretation.Afer all it is great
music--one of my favourites.
Jason
Michael Julian Topper
sull...@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu (Steven Sullivan) wrote:
>: Never mind "unifaun"...why doesn't one of you "Selling England By The Pound"
>: fans roll up your sleeves and dissect the whole song for us?
>
>: I'm starting to get the feeling a lot of people like this album but haven't the
>: foggiest idea what half of the lyrics mean!
>
>As if that made any difference in prog.
I always thought DWTMK was a statement about England's then-current
political state, couched in metaphor and symbolism--*not* the typical
"fantasy" oriented lyric that Genesis is known for (in fact, I don't
think that anything on Selling England or The Lamb, except for maybe
Firth Of Fifth and The Lamia, has a fantasy subject as the central
idea of the song).
>I don't know what "Strawberry Fields' means either, but I still kinda
>like it.
You DON'T? Like you haven't read the two jillion Lennon interviews out
there where he explains the song line by line??
Michael
Michael Julian Topper
ant...@news.mcgill.ca (Edward Antoniu) wrote:
>LloydDbler wrote:
>: > You're partly right. It's a word play, a pun, between 'uniform' and
>: >
>: >Interesting idea, but I like mine better: unicorn/faun, both mythological
>: >animals, something Genesis was big on back then. This works much better
>: >than uniform/faun IMO. I can't figure out what such a creature would look
>: >like, whereas a cross between a unicorn and faun is quite easy to
>: >imagine.
Who cares what the creature "looks like"; IMO "uniform" and "faun" is the
correct combo of words, since the idea of a lost soldier-type looking for
his country fits in well with the rest of the lyric.
Michael
Stephen Joseph Heathcote
MAC <m...@sideroad.com> wrote in article
<01bcce6a$f81df7a0$3c5b82ce@mediac>...
> Go Lawrenson!
> I think your "proof" is valid.
>
> Arguably, the mark of good poetry is the ability to interprete it on
> different levels. . .
>
> MAC
>
Exactly.
The whole of Selling England explores the contradictions in the English
character, particularly London, the "Unreal City". The oblique references
are as difficult to pin down as Eliot's "Waste Land" (from which most of
them derive), but beautifully capture the spirit of a corrupted empire,
fusing Arthurian and Roman traditions with Elizabeth and Leicester and the
Old Ladies.
PuddinTame
Steven Sullivan said:
>I don't know what "Strawberry Fields' means either, but I still kinda
>like it.
This is somewhat disturbing. I was always under the impression that
"Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" had some sort of topical relevance. Being
an American and listening to it 10 years after its release found me
frustrated though.
I wonder how many other fans of this album haven't a clue what any of it
means and don't even care?
Is this the "I don't understand it- so it must be over my head- so I
better say I like it" school of thought?
Cold explain the appeal of "The Lamb" for some people...
PuddinTame
When I said:
: I wonder how many other fans of this album haven't a clue what any of it
: means and don't even care?
Steven Sullivan sniffed the air and said:
>Do you just *wonder* that or are you *assuming* that?
I meant what I said and I said what I meant.
Puddin' Tame is an elephant one hundred percent.
You know the risk one takes when one *assumes*. :)
>Care to explicate 'Like a Rolling Stone' for me?
Whoa, comparing Genesis to Dylan. I hope the alt.music.dylan people don't
attack us when they hear that. We'll be outnumbered.
Okay, I'm recalling the lyrics from memory. Please forgive me I'm *not* a
Dylan fan(Yes, yes I know...*heresy*)...
Once upon a time you dressed so fine,
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, Didn't you?
People'd call, Say "Beware, doll. You're bound to fall,"
You thought they were all kidding you,
You used to laugh about,
Everybody that was hanging out,
Now you don't talk so loud,
Now you don't seem so proud,
About having to be scrounging your next meal.
How does it feel?
How does it feel?
To be without a home,
Like a complete unknown,
Like a rolling stone.
You've gone to the finest school alright Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody's ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you're gonna have to get used to it
etc.
Seems fairly self explanatory. It's about some chick who was riding high
and is now on the skids. (Apropos of nothing, I just remembered that the
Rolling Stones did a cool video of this song a year ago or so. I'm not a
Stones fan either (ducking).)
Well, that was *easy*. I'm gald you didn't ask me to "explicate"(snicker)
"Ballad of a Thin Man" :)
Another thing I had said that Steve responded to was:
: Is this the "I don't understand it- so it must be over my head- so I
: better say I like it" school of thought?
: Could explain the appeal of "The Lamb" for some people...
And he said(although it's unclear if he was *wondering* or *assuming*):
>Yes, it could. Others might just like the ideas and images the lyrics
>invoke in *their* minds, regardless of what PG meant.
Hey, I'd rather look through a telescope than a kaleidoscope.
(Hey, that is *poet-tree*. Dylanesque, yeah?)
Rob
puddi...@aol.com (PuddinTame) wrote:
>Is this the "I don't understand it- so it must be over my head- so I
>better say I like it" school of thought?
I think it may be more the "I listen to music for the music, not the
words" school of thought. If they're not intrusively bad (e.g. a
whole lot of ELP stuff, and actually Firth of Fifth comes close at
times) we say, "Boy, that sounds nice" or more to the point, "Boy, I
really like Tony's mellotron here."
>Cold explain the appeal of "The Lamb" for some people...
I have to admit I liked the Lamb a little better before I started
deconstructing it. (Not for the concept itself, but for what I view
as the lack of continuity.)
Rob
Angus March
It was a dark and stormy night when "Jason Bean" <jab...@caninet.com>
wrote:
:> >what is a unifaun??
:>
:> "Selling England By The Pound" is one of my least favorite Genesis albums
:> because it is chock full of British slang which I don't understand(I'm
:> American). Similarly, there are certain words like "unifaun" which I'm
:> not sure means anything special to an English person.
:of them) but this is a great album. It stands up there in my top 10 of all
:time ..
Genesis often threw around a lot of bizarre words whos meaning would
be lost on anyone outside of a few. What's a unifaun? What's a
thumpire? What's "o-hell-o"? How do they get away w/using such lousy
grammer in the line "look across the mirror before you choose de
cide". (Yes, the space actually appears in the lyrics when written.)
What's paperlate? And what is a bass "brum" which Peter is supposed to
have played acording to the LP (and CD for that matter) that I bought.
'Course you'll notice that most of my references come from the
same album. The lyrics of most songs of that album seemed pretty...
well... self-indulgent. They seemed to deal with issues that were very
dated, regional, and were doubtfully even important to those dates in
those regions. Don't be disappointed if you don't find anything that
you care about in the meaning of songs like Moonlit Knight, Wardrobe,
Opping Forrest, or the Aisle. I doubt that many Britons in the early
70s found them inspiring either. Not that I mind any of this, of
course. I've never been impressed with any social message that Genesis
had to give, and they never tried. The only message of consequence was
"we are a really great band that knows how to put some really
kick-bahookey songs together!"
--
( ) http://www.ece.concordia.ca/~ac_march/addr.html
_\_____/_ ___________ an...@hamgate.concordia.ca
|.........| |Attempting |
|: DON'T :| \ |recovery...| Angus March
|: PANIC :| | |1067 page | VE2 UFP
|:.......:|\_/ |unrecovered| Concordia University Amateur Radio
|---------|___ __|___________|__
/___________\ |_________________| Murphy ain't seen nothing yet
L.A.Ekland
PuddinTame wrote:
>
> Steven Sullivan said:
>
> >I don't know what "Strawberry Fields' means either, but I still kinda
> >like it.
>
> This is somewhat disturbing. I was always under the impression that
> "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" had some sort of topical relevance.
...it is the dope who rides a horse without a hoof...
PuddinTame
Apropos of nothing, eklan...@mailcity.com said:
>...it is the dope who rides a horse without a hoof...
I think the line is "IT is hope for the dope who rides a horse without a
hoof, IT is shaken not stirred cocktails on the roof"
So, apropos of nothing, I reply:
"Before you choose de cide"
"It." They don't write them like that anymore.
Thank God.
"That IS poetry..."
-Mickey Knox
L.A.Ekland
Apropos of nothing, PuddinTame wrote:
>
> Apropos of nothing, eklan...@mailcity.com said:
>
> >...it is the dope who rides a horse without a hoof...
>
> I think the line is "IT is hope for the dope who rides a horse without a
> hoof, IT is shaken not stirred cocktails on the roof"
>
> So, apropos of nothing, I reply:
> "Before you choose de cide"
>
.......had i intended to cite ... no, I intended to jauntily
interpret; so, restating here, for Apropos of whatever, that a
Unifaun is not hope for the dope, rather a Unifaun is the actual dope
itself. Thanks be to those who got it the first time and did not
misinterpret my word play, after all that is what this Ng is for, eh?
fun?!?
LAE
L.A.Ekland
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
(web1913)
Uni- \U"ni-\ [L. unus one. See One.] A prefix signifying one, once; as
in uniaxial, unicellular.
faun n : ancient Italian deity in human shape, with horns, pointed ears
and a goat's tail
perhaps a 'uni- + faun' is not unlike a loyal one legged centaur that
eats pasta.
(bu-dum...pshhh)
LAE
...love is the oil that takes the friction out of life...
Centaur \Cen"taur\, n. [L. centaurus, Gr. ?.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A
fabulous being, represented as half man and half horse.
PuddinTame
In article <3442B3...@mailcity.com>, "L.A.Ekland"
<eklan...@mailcity.com> writes:
>perhaps a 'uni- + faun' is not unlike a loyal one legged centaur that
>eats pasta.
LOL!
dianemem...@gmail.com
> I was reading the lyric sheet to Selling England by the Pound and the
> opening line to the song Dancing with the Moonlit Knight states " Can you
> tell me where my country lies, says the unifaun to his true loves eyes" I
> always thought it was uniform, what is a unifaun?? My dictionary doesn't
> have a definition. Anyone know?
>
> dwayne
Some years ago I went on a search for the same question. I wish i would have saved the link but I found it meant something on the order of a soldier.
Dan S. MacAbre
unifaun is a combination of unicorn and faun, two mythical creatures.
paj...@gmail.com
> Lloyddbler aksed:
> >what is a unifaun??
>
> "Selling England By The Pound" is one of my least favorite Genesis albums
> because it is chock full of British slang which I don't understand(I'm
> American). Similarly, there are certain words like "unifaun" which I'm
> not sure means anything special to an English person.
>
> this album. I wish one of these fans would post a message atempting to
> explain all the puns/slang on this album.
>
> repute...?"
>
> instead of just thinking "What the @#$%?"
iamalp...@gmail.com
Uniform/Faun
Can’t expect to understand everything, there’s a lot of surreal and abstract concepts in Genesis, it’s all part of the charm.