"Under the Table Tennis" (2010) and "Change of Heart" (2009) are available on Tim's website (http://www.timfite.com) for free, along with several other self-released works, and a collection of Tim's artwork.
I Hope Yer There
Tim Fite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
say hello to your dad
say hello to the young and the old
say hello to the man in the chair
say hello to old Bobby
say hello to old Walt
say hello, say hello, say hello,
say hello, say hello to 'em all
I really think you are
I pray to God you are
say hello to Mahatma
say hello to Edgar Allan
say hello to the man in the boat
say hello to the man on the island
say hello to Nat Turner
say hello to Romare
say hello, say hello, say hello,
say hello, say hello to the air
I really think you're there
I hope to God you're there
down down on the ground
children gather round
speak and hold that sound
gone gone gone
don't act so surprised
don't act, close your eyes
someday, by and by,
we all get gone
say hello to your mama
say hello to your mama
::(seek not ye what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink)
say hello to your mama
::(neither be ye of doubtful mind)
::(for all these things do the nations of the world seek after)
say hello to your mama
::(and your Father knowest that ye have need for these things)
say hello
::(but rather seek the the kingdom of God)
::(and all these things shall be added unto you)
go on, say
hello to everyone from all walks of life in this song, including parents, the young and old, a man in a chair, old Bobby and Walt, historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Edgar Allan Poe, Nat Turner, and Romare Bearden, and even the air itself. The repetition of "say hello" emphasizes the desire to connect with and acknowledge everyone, as though the singer wants to leave no one out. The repeated lines "I really think you are/I pray to God you are" and "I really think you're there/I hope to God you're there" convey the singer's uncertainty and hopefulness that the people they are addressing are still there, either alive or in some spiritual presence.
The last stanza shifts the tone to a more somber message about the inevitability of death. The lines "down down on the ground/children gather round/speak and hold that sound/gone gone gone" suggest that even though people may be gone, their impact remains through the memories and stories they leave behind. The references to biblical verses and messages about seeking the kingdom of God suggest a recognition of the bigger picture beyond our earthly lives.
Line by Line Meaning
say hello to your mama
Greet your mother, pay your respects
say hello to your dad
Greet your father, show your affection
say hello to the young and the old
Acknowledge all ages, respect everyone
say hello to the man in the chair
Greet a specific man, show human connection
say hello to old Bobby
Acknowledge past acquaintances, show nostalgia
say hello to old Walt
Acknowledge more past acquaintances, show appreciation
say hello, say hello, say hello, say hello, say hello to 'em all
Keep greeting, show enthusiasm, be friendly
I really think you are
I believe you exist, I acknowledge your presence
I pray to God you are
I hope you are there, I am counting on your existence
say hello to Mahatma
Name a significant figure, show respect
say hello to Edgar Allan
Reference a famous writer, show appreciation
say hello to the man in the boat
Greet a specific man, acknowledge his presence
say hello to the man on the island
Greet another specific man, acknowledge his isolation
say hello to Nat Turner
Name a historical figure, show remembrance
say hello to Romare
Name a musical figure, show appreciation and familiarity
say hello, say hello, say hello, say hello, say hello to the air
Keep greeting, show enthusiasm, highlight the emptiness
I really think you're there
I truly believe you exist, I seek connection
I hope to God you're there
I desperately wish for your existence, I look for meaning
down down on the ground
Fallen, defeated, humble
children gather round
All ages gather, showing unity
speak and hold that sound
Say what you mean, express yourself with confidence
gone gone gone
Leaving, disappearing, ending
don't act so surprised
Don't be shocked, be prepared
don't act, close your eyes
Don't react impulsively, reflect instead
someday, by and by, we all get gone
Eventually, we all die, we leave this world
say hello to your mama
Greet your mother again, emphasize relationships
say hello to your mama
Greet your mother yet again, repeat the importance of relatives
::(seek not ye what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink)
Quote from Luke 12:29, showing religious influence
say hello to your mama
Greet your mother one more time, conclude the repeated themes
::(neither be ye of doubtful mind)
Phrase from Luke 12:29, advising against skepticism
::(for all these things do the nations of the world seek after)
Excerpt from Luke 12:30, reminding us of common desires
say hello to your mama
Last call to greet your mom, emphasizing family and connections
::(and your Father knowest that ye have need for these things)
Luke 12:30 proposes the existence of an understanding higher power
say hello
Final greeting that concludes the song and its repeated themes
::(but rather seek the the kingdom of God)
Luke 12:31 encourages seeking a spiritual connection instead of material needs
::(and all these things shall be added unto you)
Luke 12:31 implies that seeking spirituality will also fulfill our material needs
go on, say
Encouragement to keep greeting, connecting, and seeking meaning
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.