Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Frank Zappa
Canonical path: /frank-zappa/the-meek-shall-inherit-nothing-in-album-thing-fish
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish)
Read The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish) lyrics by Frank Zappa on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish)
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Frank Zappa (guitar, synclavier)
Steve Vai (guitar)
Ray White (guitar, vocals)
Tommy Mars (keyboards)
Chuck Wild (piano)
Arthur Barrow (bass)
Scott Thunes (bass)
Jay Anderson (string bass)
Ed Mann (percussion)
Chad Wackerman (drums)
Ike Willis (vocals)
Terry Bozzio (vocals)
Dale Bozzio (vocals)
Napoleon Murphy Brock (vocals)
Bob Harris (vocals)
Johnny "Guitar" Watson (vocals)
THING-FISH:
Welcome to the QUENTIN ROBERT DE NAMELAND VIDEO CHAPEL OF ECONOMIC WORSHIP!
ENSEMBLE: (singing)
Some take THE BIBLE
For what it's worth
When it says that THE MEEK
Shall inherit THE EARTH
Well, I heard that some Sheik
Has bought New Jersey last week,
'N you suckers ain't gettin' DOODLY!
Is all de MAMMYS really wrong,
If we's wandrin' aroun'
Wit' de nakkin on?
Big ol' lips like a duck,
While we's singin' dis song,
(EVIL PRINCE, people, he cain't do NOTHIN'!)
THING-FISH:
You say yo' life a 'BUM DEAL',
'N yo' 'UP AGAINST DE WALL'?
Well, people, you ain't got no kinda
'DEAL' at all!
Now de shit dey be doin'
Down in WASHINGTUM,
ENSEMBLE:
Dey just takes care
THING-FISH:
Dey takin' care
ENSEMBLE:
Of number one
THING-FISH:
O' 'NUMBER ONE',
ENSEMBLE:
An' 'NUMBER ONE' ain't YOU!
THING-FISH:
Oh no! It ain't you or you!
ENSEMBLE:
YOU ain't even 'NUMBER TWO'!
THING-FISH:
(Push de button, pull dat chain,
Out come dat lil' brown
Choo-choo train!)
ENSEMBLE:
Those JESUS-FREAKS,
Well, they're friendly, BUT,
The SHIT they BELIEVE
Has got their minds ALL SHUT,
An' they don't even CARE
When 'THE CHURCH' takes a 'CUT'!
(Ain't it BLEAK when you've got so much NOTHIN'?)
THING-FISH:
So whaddya do?
ENSEMBLE:
EAT that PORK!
EAT that HAM!
Laugh till ya choke
On BILLY GRAHAM!
BROWN MOSES, AARON, 'n ABRAHAM:
They're ALL a waste of TIME,
'N it's YOUR ASS that's ON THE LINE!
THING-FISH:
Wohhhhhh, heah me talkin' to ya, now,
IT'S YOUR ASS THAT'S ON THE LINE!
ENSEMBLE:
Do what you WANNA,
THING-FISH:
Ohh! Do what ya wanna!
ENSEMBLE:
Do WHAT YOU WILL,
THING-FISH:
Do what you will!
ENSEMBLE:
Just DON'T MESS UP
THING-FISH:
Don't mess it!
ENSEMBLE:
YOUR NEIGHBOR'S THRILL,
THING-FISH:
Dat's right!
ENSEMBLE:
'N when you PAY THE BILL,
THING-FISH:
Aww, when y'pay de bill...
ENSEMBLE:
Kindly LEAVE A LITTLE TIP,
THING-FISH:
One-Adam-Twelve...
ENSEMBLE:
And help the NEXT POOR SUCKER
THING-FISH:
See de sucker...
ENSEMBLE:
On his ONE WAY TRIP!
(SOME TAKE THE BIBLE!)
THING-FISH:
Aw, gimme a half a duzzning fo' de hotel ruim!
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish)"?
Frank Zappa performs "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish)", and this lyric page sits inside the Frank Zappa catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish)"?
Yes. The related section below points to Dong Work For Yuda and St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Frank Zappa?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Frank Zappa's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (in album Thing-Fish) yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.