Three Sheets to Kishkiyya · Track 103 · middle
Katerfrühstück
VOLUME V — the CURES, crawling back to life. The idiom and the song's title hook: "Katerfrühstück". Its true history: Germany — the 'Tomcat Breakfast': pickled herring (rollmops) and pickles; salty, briny morning revival. Render this beat of the night as the band's affectionate, funny, celebratory tribute — the idiom itself is the chorus hook.
Lyrics
[Intro] (Choir) Ah, the morning light! Ah, the heavy head! Step aside, despair, we are rising from the bed! [Verse 1] You crawled in like a stray at the break of dawn A ruined little tomcat dragging right across the lawn Your tongue is made of cotton and your pulse is a drum You think the final curtain has inevitably come But wait... There is salvation sitting right there in the jar! [Chorus] Sing hail to the Katerfrühstück! (Choir: The Tomcat Breakfast!) Bring out the silver fish from the brine! A little German magic for the weary and the sick Wrap the herring round the pickle and you're stepping back in line! Oh, the Katerfrühstück! It’s a sour little miracle by nine. [Verse 2] Forget the sweet pastries, leave the coffee in the pot We need the salty ocean for the trouble you caught Just look at the rollmops, oh behold the sudden shock Of the vinegar and onion that resets the heavy clock It bites at the palate and the gray clouds part The finest trick in Deutschland to jump-start the heart! [Chorus] Sing hail to the Katerfrühstück! (Choir: The Tomcat Breakfast!) Bring out the silver fish from the brine! A little German magic for the weary and the sick Wrap the herring round the pickle and you're stepping back in line! Oh, the Katerfrühstück! It’s a sour little miracle by nine. [Bridge] (Choir) Salt! Sour! Silver and cold! A recipe of ancient power, brave and bold! The electrolytes dance like a chorus in your soul You were shattered into pieces, now the fish makes you whole! Who knew a pickled herring could do all that? [Outro] So raise up the fork for the poor stray cat! Yes, hail to the Katerfrühstück! The glorious Katerfrühstück! We are stepping out the door and we are feeling so— Wait, did I spill the juice on my shoe? Never mind, we're cured!