The Crook and Flail Lyrics


The crook, a symbol of rule

A symbol of ancient slavery

The attributes of the deity, an insignia of authority

The ruler's crook stood for kingship

Power of life and death in the hand

Beneficence and intimidation

The crook and flail

The crook and flail

The flail, goading slaves

A symbol of the coercive power

The flail for the fertility of the land

A shepherd of the flock

Complete enslavement

The ruler restraining the slave 

Symbol of their control over the slave

The ruler as a shepherd

The crook and flail 

The crook and flail 

Power of life and death in the hand

Beneficence and intimidation