Master Jack lyrics by Four Jacks And A Jill, 9 meanings. Master Jack explained, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Four Jacks And A Jill – Master Jack lyrics
It's a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack
You taught me all I know and I'll never look back
It's a very strange world and I thank you, Master Jack

You took a colored ribbon from out of the sky
And taught me how to use it as the years went by
To tie up all your problems and make them look neat
And then to sell them to the people in the street

It's a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack
You taught me all I know and I'll never look back
It's a very strange world and I thank you, Master Jack

I saw right through the way you started teachin' me now
So some day soon you could get to use me somehow
I thank you very much and though you've been very kind
But I'd better move along before you change my mind

It's a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack
You know how I feel as if I'll never come back
It's a very strange world and I thank you, Master Jack

You taught me all the things the way you'd like them to be
But I'd like to see if other people agree
It's all very int'resting the way you disguise
But I'd like to see the world through my own eyes

It's a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack
No hard feelin's if I never come back
You're a very strange man and I thank you, Master Jack

You're a very strange man and I thank you, Master Jack
You're a very strange man aren't, Master Jack
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Songwriters: David Marks
Master Jack lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Corrected by augest2666

Master Jack meanings Post my meaning

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    The song is by a south african band and is about apartheid. How the youth were sold the idea and couldn't question as master jack told them it was 'god's law'. I believe they left the country shortly after this song possibly fearing the master's wrath and to live a different life where churches don't preach loving your neighbour, except if he's a kaffir. But it was never banned, master was that bright - black beauty was banned even though it was a story about a horse.
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    I think that this song is a backlash by English speaking South Africans against the perceived treatment of South Africa and Rhodesia by the uk aka Master (Union) Jack and how they were moving against a perceived unshakable loyalty to the uk and finding common ground with Afrikaans speakers. 'It's a strange world' yet no one understands are often the way that many Saffas feel to those who condemn Apartheid yet never lived in rsa. Apart from this the lyrics speak of a thanks yet a need to move away from Jack as many English speakers did feeling alienated by the uk.
    There are also several visual references such as the two lions (symbolic of British coats of arms) being faded out in favour of two Bokke (traditionally associated with rsa crests). Also look at the colours they're wearing- orange, blue and white; synomomous with the rsa flag from the 1920's-1994.
    In short it's about the identity, yet rememberence of the English speakers in an independent and isolated rsa.
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    It's an "elisa doolittle" type relationship. An older. Wiser "master" finds a young girl, begins molding her, teaching, her about life, then. Love (i saw right thru the way you started teaching me love, and how you hoped to someday use it somehow. " come on people, it's not rocket science. He taught her many thngs because she was so young, but she wasn't too naive to realize he was actually grooming her to be his s** slave.
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    One has to consider the time and circumstances in South Africa when this song was released. The country was already long independent from English rule and was governed by the National Party who did many things that spoke against the principles of human freedom. Apart from apartheid there was also laws that forced boys leaving school to join the army. This song is about how the government indoctrinated the citizens of the country by making all these inhumane laws seem colorful, "a ribbon from the skies, tying op the problems, selling it to the people on the streets" 
    The writers eyes then opens up to reality seeing that all these laws were to control the citizens and "enslave" them to this "master" who is so "kind" to his people. Protecting them under the guise of enslaving them. And he has to leave that loyalty to his country to see the country and the world through their own eyes, beyond the disguises and the lies. To see the reality of how wrong things are.
    Why does he thank him? Because he taught him the ways that governments and institutions cover up their indiscretions and agendas by tying it up in pretty little packages and selling it (propaganda) to the people on the streets. Preparing him for being able to recognize it in the future. Leaving him is leaving his blind loyalty to the country's rule and seeing the world for himself, for what it really is. And he learned that in fact the world isn't as simple as they propagated, but that the world is indeed strange, seeing how those who are there to serve and protect you, are there only for their own personal gain and to retain control over those very people. 
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    david_ffm
    I've heard a different version - the term "Master Jack" was something like a shift leader on the gold mines way back when in SA... someone with experience who knew the ropes. Apparantly the song grew up in the mining environment. No guarantees but I've been told that ;-) okay
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    Master Jack is a pimp who tried to turn this girl into one of his sex slaves but she's not going along with him and in the end thanks him for teaching her the birds and bees but found out he's as strange as the world of perversion he tried to trap her in.
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    madsandyalmond
    This song was written in the early hippy days when it was popular to be a cynic. Perhaps the most popular cynic guru was Tim Leary, presently a peddler of investments. Hearing this song I always pictured a cynic guru who had fallen for his pupil. The only problem was he had taught her to be a really good cynic; one no longer able to understand love, and so, she was sure the love Master Jack offered was just a method to get to use her some how. A sad, sad song from the era when we first became cynics. Peace man, make love and try and believe it's real.
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    MusicManDan
    The mentor in the singer's life (most likely a headmaster from a boarding school) had plans for the singer. However the singer knew not her owns plans and needed to find herself (as we should do). To do so, the singer must first see all the wonders the world has to give!
    Now, while the singer had learned much from "Master Jack" and is very grateful for all Master Jack has done. The time has come for her to go find her own life's meaning. She is so curious about life, the world, people and all big cities in all the different countries. She has the desire and need to figure out what its all about and how she fits in to it all. The only way to archive this goal was to get out on their own, because life must be seen through the eyes and mind of the beholder (The Singer). And so, the journey begins:-)
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    My initial impression of the song was that it was about life in the victorian era, in london, england. I pictured in my mind the setting of the movie oliver. I think I had this impression, because in this day and age, I don't think anyone calls someone master, although I could be wrong. Back in victorian england, and I think even in england today, there is a cast system. I pictured a poor young girl, with no family or other means of support, a street urchin, being taken in by a schiester, for whom she was at his beck and call. He instructed her on how to steal and swindle unsuspecting citizens, rich ones likely, and tossed her a few tuppins for her pay.
    The song has an eeriness about it that is unsettling, rather frightening to me. It reminded me of a relationship I had for ten years with my boyfriend who was nearly ten years older than I. He believed that what he said was law, and what I said went in one of his ear's and out the other.
    I did wonder how this master would allow this girl to leave after being him any lenth of time.
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      The song is by a south african band and is about apartheid. How the youth were sold the idea and... Read more →
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      I think that this song is a backlash by English speaking South Africans against the perceived... Read more →

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