Pearls Before Swine was an American psychedelic folk band formed in 1965 by singer-songwriter Tom Rapp. The band was known for its unconventional and poetic lyrics, as well as its use of unusual instruments such as the electric oud and the bowed psaltery. Their music explored themes of spirituality, philosophy, and social criticism. Despite being critically acclaimed, the band never achieved mainstream success and disbanded in the early 1970s. Rapp continued to release music as a solo artist until his death in 2018.