Jethro Tull - Teacher Lyrics






Well the dawn was coming,
heard him ringing on my bell.
He said, ``My name's the teacher,
that is what I call myself.
And I have a lesson
that I must impart to you.
It's an old expression
but I must insist it's true.

Jump up, look around,
find yourself some fun,
no sense in sitting there hating everyone.
No man's an island and his castle isn't home,
the nest is full of nothing when the bird has flown.''

So I took a journey,
threw my world into the sea.
With me went the teacher
who found fun instead of me.

Hey man, what's the plan, what was that you said?
Sun-tanned, drink in hand, lying there in bed.
I try to socialize but I can't seem to find
what I was looking for, got something on my mind.

Then the teacher told me
it had been a lot of fun.
Thanked me for his ticket
and all that I had done.

Hey man, what's the plan, what was that you said?
Sun-tanned, drink in hand, lying there in bed.
I try to socialize but I can't seem to find
what I was looking for, got something on my mind.





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Jethro Tull Teacher Comments
  1. d.... ....

    Amazing blast from a distant past. Once upon a time, it was all talent, talent and .... talent!

  2. B.... D....

    I can’t think of this song without playing it after.

  3. J.... M....

    Not. Dog

  4. J.... M....

    Brain. Human.

  5. J.... M....

    God's. Law

  6. J.... M....

    Man. No. Work. No. Food

  7. S.... K....

    I pay tribute to my high school years! I had a great stereo system and would just listen to this album. It prepared me to learn how to contemplate for this life I call now!! thank YOU Ian for being so insightful

  8. J.... e....

    Another rock group that used a flute was the Dutch band Focus

  9. m.... ....

    234 spent their time in class pulling wings off flies

  10. C.... G....

    Don’t you hate it when some thinks that Jethro Tull is just a person in a band.

    C.... G....

    Yes I Always hated that. “ isn’t HE great”.. oysh

  11. D.... S....

    I want to thank everyone for writing out the lyrics. I don’t know how I would ever know them otherwise.

  12. J.... P....

    The tull the one and only Jethro tull unique and awesome

  13. S.... M....

    First Tull album I heard. Couldn't get enough after that.
    Saw them early 70's at the LA Forum with It's a Beautiful Day.

  14. M.... W....

    Think it, live it.

  15. A.... J....

    How do you f up the first line haha

    A.... J....

    Haha don’t know either🤪

  16. S.... M....

    I named my son Ian, no..really!

  17. L.... N....

    Find yourself some fun 😉💋👍

  18. K.... H....

    Tull is really Ian Anderson. Aqualung is skating away with teacher n thick ad a brick

  19. j.... H....

    Black widow sounded like Jethro Tull you dumb ass poster

  20. S.... m....

    I sent it to my children

  21. T.... S....

    First concert I ever went to! I think it was Jethro Tull and Foghat. I was 15 and got kicked out halfway through for having a joint in my hand LOL now I'm a square hahaha

    T.... S....

    I think that was 79 or 80?

  22. S.... L....

    .⚓.☢. Javion ,ja ~ve~ion. 🦄

  23. T.... K....

    This band's sound has never been duplicated for a few different, but related reasons being, Ian Anderson is a well rounded composer/writer/ lyricist/instrumentalist/ vocalist, and all around decent person all rolled into one extremely gifted and talented human being, and to pull all that together and throw it into the rock & roll world and make it work is an extremely difficult thing to pull off! There aren't many people on this earth that could do it. There's absolutely no talent in screaming into a microphone with your pants hanging down around your ass, which, for some ungodly reason, seems to be where these disrespecting kids have taken music today, (Which by all rights shouldn't even be referred to as such)! "Teacher," is unequivocally my favorite Tull song. It packs a very powerful message!

  24. S.... 7....

    checked one of my old music folders, found this


    haven't heard it in years and it's a nice treat, what an awesome song


    and luckily also found some underground hip hop song from 94 that sampled this, type 4's "green velvet" for anyone curious

  25. P.... V....

    Who is The Teacher? Anyone?

  26. D.... P....

    My first 8 track tape.Jethro Tull has a unique sound.

  27. R.... P....

    VERY underrated group!!!!!!

  28. K.... O....

    Love me some Ian

  29. p.... ....

    Not on the original UK release

  30. M.... B....

    Have loved this group since 1970 never knew all the words to the songs . I hope this new consciousness . Is not the prophesized one .

  31. c.... ....

    I just heard this tune in my local supermarket. So here I am. What's it all mean besides that at 64 years of age I still like Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson still doesn't like blue jeans???

  32. b.... m....

    Still have the single. Sounds like there`s bacon frying in the background now.

  33. R.... U....

    REALLY good live, saw them 3 times, never a less than excellent show.

  34. G.... t....

    Grew up with Tull, I'm A 70s rocking soldier gonna play it til I'm dead cuz I'm thick as a brick.

  35. F.... T....

    Missed lyrics to your vid:🎵So I took the journey, through my world in to the sea,with me went the teacher,who found fun instead of me, then the teacher told me,its been a lot of fun,then thanked me for his ticket,and all that I have done🎶

  36. S.... K....

    Really like this song and don't have much patience for comments, so hopefully here are the full lyrics:
    Well the dawn was coming
    Heard him ringing on my bell
    He said, my name's the teacher
    Oh that is what I call myself
    And I have a lesson
    That I must impart to you
    It's an old expression
    But I must insist it's true
    Jump up, look around
    Find yourself some fun
    No sense in sitting there hating everyone
    No man's an island and his castle isn't home
    The nest is for nothing when the bird has flown
    So I took a journey
    Threw my world into the sea
    With me went the teacher
    Who found fun instead of me
    Hey man, what's the plan, what was that you said?
    Sun-tanned, drink in hand, lying there in bed
    I try to socialize but I can't seem to find
    What I was looking for, got something on my mind
    Then the teacher told me
    It had been a lot of fun
    Thanked me for his ticket
    And all that I had done
    Hey man, what's the plan, what was that you said?
    Sun-tanned, drink in hand, lying there in bed
    I try to socialize but I can't seem to find
    What I was looking for, got something on my mind

  37. k.... ....

    I still can't believe they don't include this on the CD of Living in the Past. they could have lopped off either Dharma for One or By Kind Permission Of (don't much like either of those) and included Bouree and Teacher instead. Now THAT would have been the way to release Living in the Past!! Teacher is one of the best songs on the album - Wish I could find a CD with it on it, since my old "record player" bit the dust years ago, tho I still have all my albums. :)

  38. G.... T....

    Just saw him at the Fantasy Springs Casino for his 5oth Tour......Rocking BIG TIME, we had a 7.0 Earthquake in Ridgecrest and he kept playing with the speakers and everything swinging! Rock on!!!

  39. A.... N....

    I think you can find the lyrics spread over the bed . . . they taste like what you've been smelling.

  40. B.... N....

    Thanks for posting! LOVE the note about the missing lyrics! I laughed out loud. I've never known that part of the song either! :-D

  41. s.... ....

    I saw them a couple times in the early 70’s in Long Beach and then at the forum in L.A Cal.

  42. J.... s....

    If you believe the globe earth lie then thank a teacher. Research high altitude balloon videos without the famous fish eye lens effect and see what they've been hiding from you.

  43. M.... P....

    Don't forget, 30 years ago, Jethro Tull beat Metallica for the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 1989 Grammy's....

    M.... P....

    And Metallica was PISSED.

    M.... P....

    @Banished From The Dwarf Planet So was I...

    M.... P....

    Miller, why?? Fuck the grammy’s mate, I found it hilarious, Tallica fans having a sook, separated the casual from the intrepid, Metal has never been about winning prizes, tune into that shit you might as well go to a Madonna concert

  44. K.... O....

    I always forget how fucking amazing this track is. I shouldn't though. Just more brilliance from Mr. Anderson

  45. A.... D....

    one of the best

  46. D.... G....

    Missing lyrics - "Then the teacher told me it had been a lot of fun, thanked me for his ticket, and all that I had done".

  47. P.... T....

    Jethro Tull are amazing!

  48. j.... d....

    conquistador

  49. T.... P....

    Not really the only rock band with a flute.. They influenced another great Yugoslav rock band from the 70s. Check it out on https://youtu.be/SIV4u-SBqi4 🙃

  50. L.... S....

    I'm 28 today 😊 I got a record player and now I finally get to play the living in the past album collectors edition Haha wooohooo teacher is one of the tracks on it too Haha yesssss. later on it will be time for beer and tull, BRING IT ONNNNNN.

    L.... S....

    Happy belated birthday, and this IS one great tune. Try out Thick as a Brick!

    L.... S....

    right on brother. im 24 and love this old stuff.
    timeless music. real talent!

  51. T.... A....

    Can someone else?? https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/threelly-ai-for-youtube/dfohlnjmjiipcppekkbhbabjbnikkibo

  52. B.... M....

    great song, posting was a dud though

  53. J.... B....

    I love.this.song

  54. T.... M....

    *“Feck you!”*

  55. V.... C....

    the lesson here is.. go straight home after school. no trips to the beach to get stoned.

  56. T.... C....

    Bought the single in 1970 Witches Promise/Teacher Two brilliant songs. Ian Anderson Legend.

  57. S.... H....

    Just don't get sick of Tull , much like Zep

  58. A.... W....

    nembange maen mbanget

  59. F.... ....

    American version of Teacher. Was the first i ever heard and i must say i prefer it to the actual original English/European version.

  60. J.... ....

    Yeah Ian backed off from guitar cuz of Clapton, HORSE_FEATHERS, my arse

  61. D.... S....

    see Jade Warrior

  62. J.... R....

    God bless Mister Prouty.

  63. a.... y....

    I've always enjoyed listening to his unique sounding voice. I think it's a GR8 sounding voice for a rock singer.

  64. H.... ....

    Having musical knowledge should be mandatory among all youth not just the unoriginal rappers who cheaply resample it into nonsense

  65. A.... D....

    Ann Wilson played flute a lot during songs....

  66. M.... B....

    Always loved how the verse is sang slow, the chorus fast, the guitar riff kicking to the flute/organ solo. Simple, subtle, but powerful. Jethro Tull in a nutshell.

  67. d.... ....

    They used to play Tull on the radio

  68. d.... u....

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  69. t.... m....

    I'm 50 now, when I was 17 I worked at the UNION at UT that's Austin 23 &1/2 St and Guadalupe . They had policy in the kitchen , no take out , oh well , I use to steal the left over chilly they were going to throw away and give it to the homeless on the drag. Most Noble I done my whole life . Now I own a tree company and can't afford my own food, and neck hurting BAD😖

  70. B.... C....

    189 dislikes have a learning disability.

    B.... C....

    A disability to know what great music is.

    B.... C....

    Probably just deaf

  71. V.... W....

    Tull rules

  72. T.... P....

    I think The Teacher is a reference to the Higher Self in all of us ..The Inner Guide..That Quiet Voice

    T.... P....

    Very good comment!I agree with you

    T.... P....

    agreed but when I hear tull that voice just tells me to drink lol anyway it's my birthday today so who cares 🍺🍺🍺🍺

    T.... P....

    @Lee Saunders 🎵 Happy Birthday to youuu 🍸🎸😜

    T.... P....

    There are a lot of tongue and cheek references to religion in their songs. Cf. "When Jesus Came to Play". I always interpreted "The Teacher" to be one of the many self-anointed guru's going round in the 60's.

  73. D.... B....

    Ray Thomas played the flute. Chuh!

  74. T.... P....

    Genius !!! Even the lyrics though probably autobiographical are universal . For me its throwing your passion out there.
    The castle is really a place to lay your head once the bird has flown .

    T.... P....

    When I was scrolling through the comments, I found this one as the lyrics played

  75. E.... r....

    This feels good as shit right now...

  76. E.... K....

    LOL, including a teaching in there, mr ChrisPC3am :)

  77. A.... S....

    I kind of feel like this song is about Dr. WHO.

  78. D.... B....

    Actually, Bob Dylan wrote all the Lyrics for all their songs...... it's about time the truth was known.....

    D.... B....

    I am being silly

  79. k.... ....

    Then the teacher told me it had been a lot of fun

    Then he bought his ticket and all that I had done 🤷
    (Then he thought his ticket and all that I have done) a much better line and sounds more like the lore of a pirate that was thought to be the devil incarnate.
    Who was merely "after" (in the post tense meaning) his own mind.

    Which is why he ended up with Queen Anne's Revenge.

    A quite riveting story I might add.

    Teach used witchcraft on the salesman of the ticket and stole his soul.

  80. k.... ....

    Was this song originally about Blackbeard

    In which Jethro Tull was a minstrel on his ship.

  81. m.... &....

    Missing words are, "Then the teacher told me listening to Frank Zappa had been a lot of fun , thanked me for the Buddy Holly albums and all of my chewing gum"

    m.... &....

    Finaly corect understanding!I always think it's "Then the preacher sold me all this Bible scum..."

  82. B.... ....

    What a Great song. Listening to it for the 5th time this morning. 😎🤙

  83. A.... D....

    Marshall Tucker got the flute

  84. R.... B....

    So damn catchy!!

  85. M.... ....

    I discovered Tull when I was dumped in a halfway house in the late 80's at 17 This amazing music got my through some really dark times

    M.... ....

    Me too, love Tull, the music helped me too

  86. z.... a....

    tank's a lot

  87. m.... &....

    Ian Anderson hates this song never wanted to play it live lol why? Who knows i heard him say it

  88. R.... S....

    jethro tull was best with Ian in front i enjoyed very song during our old school days love it

  89. a.... j....

    ...Just wow! Freakin awesome song. Straight power cords, lyrics, vocal and genius.

  90. d.... d....

    high school in 72 hshshaha 18yr old punk rock n rollin

  91. s.... ....

    My uncle just died today he loved this song.

  92. J.... 1....

    Jethro Tull not in the Rock and Roll HOF, I don't understand why.

    J.... 1....

    JayDogTitan 1464
    I do
    Rock and roll Hall of fame is for the mainstream

  93. K.... M....

    Not in the hall of fame big joke

  94. B.... L....

    TULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

  95. G.... C....

    One of my fav Tull albums