Boiled frogs

I'd like to take a poll please. I know it'll sound like a weird question, but there's a reason I'm asking this question. It's just a simple Y/N question.

Are you familiar with the fable about frogs in boiling water?  Y/N

The reason I'm asking this ridiculous question is that I'd like to include boiled frogs in a lyric I'm writing, but I don't want to use it unless most people actually know about it.

I actually had to look up what you meant by the boiled frog but I have heard the fable.

Yes.

Side note:  If you know of something like this and wish to reference it in your lyrics, do so.  People who don't get it will either look it up and learn something or remain blissfully ignorant.

There's no need to dumb down your writing.

Yup, but I also second Xid's comment too - assuming the intent of the song isn't to make some clear and specific proclamation.

I've heard the fable.
I don't think it is common use nowadays though.

Thanks guys.

In the context of the song, I'm intending it to lead the listener to think about how habitually poor choices can creep into your life without your even being aware of it.

Jen5 wrote:

Thanks guys.

In the context of the song, I'm intending it to lead the listener to think about how habitually poor choices can creep into your life without your even being aware of it.

Perfect context. 

Excellent!

I wouldn't say it's as much a fable as it is a syllogism.

Medieval Torture Device wrote:

I wouldn't say it's as much a fable as it is a syllogism.

Curious. How so?

I'm familiar with it, but throwing boiled frogs into lyrics would confuse me and probably crack me up

Driven wrote:

I'm familiar with it, but throwing boiled frogs into lyrics would confuse me and probably crack me up

Does it? Be honest please (I have a VERY thick skin).

V2
My eyes blinded to the truth
Pride, narrowed my world view
A deadly sin
That obscured the danger,
Devoured my soul, and made God the stranger

The forked tongue of the serpent's promise
The frog that boiled. It crept upon us
Are we entrapped by our false glory?
Gripped by Satan's sin (old story)

CH
Where is my Savior?
Destroying the plague of my vanity
Where is my Savior? (echo: He is my Savior?)
Who shatters my pride so I am not deceived

It's hard to be objective, because I know it's there.  I'll be honest, I'm not sure that without further development it makes much sense. You could add a line along the lines of things taking time and us not noticing.. Promise and notice kind of rhyme, actually, so perhaps "the frog that boiled and never noticed". Up to you, obviously, but I think that as much as the "it crept upon us" does connect, it's maybe less clear than it could be. Since you asked.

Hard-hitting lyrics, by the way. Challenging, to say the least.

Thanks for that, Driven. I'll keep working on it.

::Peek my head in here and say::
yes, heard the analogy. First heard it back in 1990 watching a documentary on the desensitization happening in America that will take conservative thinking to a point where the masses and even the churches will be accepting of activities and lifestyles forbidden by Scripture.
The frogs in the boiling water analogy was given, the first time I ever heard it, and it was profound to me. I'm not so sure how accurate it is to reality as I have never attempted the experiments myself, but it sounds pretty interesting.

As for lyrics, go for it ! There have been lyrics I've heard in the past that spoke of things I didn't understand, and I sought out explanations and learned new things... so if there are people who don't "get" that analogy in your lyric, it'll be their opportunity to learn something new 

I think it's good.  Make people think.

What about adjusting the line from "The forked tongue of the serpent's promise"

to:  "The serpent's tongue a forked promise"

Just a thought.

Thanks G/F. I love that that specific analogy had an impact on you. It's also really cool to learn that the story of the frog has been used in relation to the normalization of sin because that's definitely the cautionary tale that I'm telling in this song. Thanks for that.

Ooo, Xid, that's good. It's an added, deeper meaning. A "forked promise." I really like that. Unfortunately, it messes with my syllable count/line rhythm (I'm writing to existing music and the rest of the song is written so I'm kinda stuck there). BUT, now you've got me thinking that way. I'm going to play with THAT now. Thank you   

Driven wrote:

It's hard to be objective, because I know it's there.  I'll be honest, I'm not sure that without further development it makes much sense. You could add a line along the lines of things taking time and us not noticing.. Promise and notice kind of rhyme, actually, so perhaps "the frog that boiled and never noticed". Up to you, obviously, but I think that as much as the "it crept upon us" does connect, it's maybe less clear than it could be. Since you asked.

Hard-hitting lyrics, by the way. Challenging, to say the least.

I have to agree with Driven on this.  Staying with the rhyme and meter will be important, but you do need to convey this in a way that people will notice or the strength of your message will be lost.

Of course, a true Southerner will get the "boiling frogs" analogy.  I've heard that from older folks all of my life.  Of course, I have never known anyone to boil frogs.  My grandma used to fry up a mess of fresh frog legs.  She would buy some ammo for my brother and myself and we'd kill a bunch of frogs at our neighbor's pond and take them to her.

You're welcome!