Chip

The song digs deep into the consequences of making a deal with the Devil, showing how greed and temptation can lead to a downward spiral. Chip starts off with a solid job and family, but once he takes the Devil's offer, everything crumbles. The relentless rat symbolizes the nagging consequences of his choices, leading him to madness and ruin. It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a catchy punk melody, reminding us that some deals aren’t worth making.

Verse 1

Chip worked as a boatwright as his father and his gran
A' working in a boat yard building on the River Thames
One day Chip was hard at work, the Devil appeared from hell
He held a roll of copper and a bucket full of nails

This verse sets up Chip's background and normal life. He’s part of a family tradition, working hard in a boatyard. But then the Devil shows up, introducing danger and temptation. The copper and nails symbolize opportunity, but they come with a dark cost. It’s a classic setup for a tale of temptation, where everything seems fine before chaos enters the picture.

Chorus

The Devil said unto Chip, "take these nails and copper roll
But you also have to take this rat and I will take your soul"
Chip despised the rat, and the rat squealed and hissed

In the chorus, the stakes are clearly laid out. The deal Chip makes is tempting, but the rat is a nasty reminder of the price he has to pay. The rat represents the burdens that come with his choices. It’s catchy and repetitive, emphasizing the inevitability of his fate as he grapples with what he’s just agreed to.

Verse 2

But the bucket of nails and copper were too much to resist
Chip went straight to work, he'd get rid of the rat
And there would no' be a problem with his death after the fact
But the devil rat wouldn't die, no matter how hard he tried

This verse shows Chip’s initial mindset after making the deal. He’s determined to get rid of the rat and thinks he can outsmart his consequences. But it quickly becomes clear that he’s in over his head. The rat’s refusal to die symbolizes how our problems can follow us no matter how hard we try to escape them.

Chorus

It seemed as if the river rats fell under Satan's spell
They followed Chip around and made his life a living hell
He slowly lost his mind, he lost his family

In this chorus, things take a darker turn. The rats multiply, representing how one bad choice can lead to a cascade of problems. Chip’s descent into madness is swift; he loses everything he values. The repeated lines drive home the feeling of being overwhelmed, showing how quickly life can spiral out of control.

Verse 3

He lost his job and had to join the King's Navy
A lemon grows a pip
A yard will build a ship
As Satan is my master
I will get you, Chip

Here, we see the full impact of Chip's choices. He’s left with no options and ends up in the Navy, a huge fall from grace. The lines about lemons and ships are catchy but also hint at the inevitability of fate. The mention of Satan as a master reinforces that he can’t escape the consequences of his deal, making the listener feel the weight of his situation.

Chorus

A lemon grows a pip
A yard will build a ship
As Satan is my master
I'm gonna get you
Chip

In this repeat of the chorus, we feel the relentless pressure of the Devil’s influence. The catchy phrases pull you back in, reminding us that Chip is still trapped. The repetition makes it feel almost like a chant, emphasizing the inescapable grip of his deal with the Devil.

Verse 4

The rats chased Chip up the gangplank of the ship
And they bit him and they tortured him until he finally flipped
He sniveled to the captain to turn around this rig
The captain spied his madness and they chucked him in the brig

This verse paints a vivid picture of Chip's madness. He’s being tormented by the rats, which symbolizes his guilt and regret. His plea to the captain shows he’s desperate, but it’s too late. The captain's response highlights how others can see your madness, even when you can’t. This is a low point in Chip’s journey.

Chorus

The devil rat had his man, he knew just what to do
He'd command the rats and through the planks they'd chew
The water rushed in, and the ship went down

This chorus brings a dramatic climax. The Devil’s rat finally takes control, leading to disaster. The imagery of the ship sinking is powerful, symbolizing how all of Chip's choices have led to his downfall. The chaos reflects the internal turmoil he’s been experiencing throughout the song.

Outro

She was smashed upon the rocks on which the rats danced around
A lemon grows a pip
A yard will build a ship
As Satan is my master
I got you, Chip

The outro wraps up the story with a vivid image of destruction. The rats dancing symbolize how the consequences of Chip's choices have taken over completely. The final lines reinforce the idea that Chip is now fully trapped by his deal. It’s a haunting end that leaves you thinking about the cost of temptation.

Closing Thoughts

"Chip" is a wild ride that mixes humor with a dark moral lesson. It shows how quickly life can turn when you make deals without considering the consequences. The catchy chorus and vivid storytelling make it memorable, while the underlying message lingers long after the song ends. It’s a fun yet sobering reminder of the dangers of temptation.