Third World Man
Steely Dan Lyrics

Johnny's playroom
The singer is referring to someone named Johnny who may be a child or an adult, but who has a playroom filled with sand that resembles a bunker in a third world country.

Is a bunker filled with sand
Johnny's playroom is compared to a bunker filled with sand, suggesting that he lives in a war-torn or unstable environment that requires him to seek refuge in such a manner.

He's become a third world man
Johnny has adapted to the conditions in his environment, so much so that he has become a 'third world man', or one who is accustomed to living in underdeveloped countries.

Smoky Sunday
The artist is referencing a particular day or time when there was smoke in the air, perhaps from a fire or other environmental hazard.

He's been mobilized since dawn
Johnny has been active and on alert since the morning, perhaps because he needs to be prepared for unforeseen situations that could arise.

Now he's crouching on the lawn
Johnny is positioned on the lawn in a crouched position, as if he is hiding or protecting himself from something.

Soon you'll throw down your disguise
The singer is addressing someone who is pretending to be something they are not, and implies that they will soon lose this façade.

We'll see behind those bright eyes
When the person drops their disguise, their true nature behind their bright, deceptive eyes will be revealed.

By and by
This phrase means 'eventually' or 'over time'.

When the sidewalks are safe
The sidewalks are currently unsafe, but will become safer over time due to changes in the environment or improvement in circumstances.

For the little guy
This phrase refers to the weaker or less fortunate members of society, who will benefit from the improved safety conditions.

I saw the fireworks
The artist observes a display of fireworks that may be symbolic of something positive, like hope, or negative, like destruction.

I believed that I was dreaming
Seeing the fireworks was so surreal that the singer believed they were dreaming.

Till the neighbors came out screaming
The singer realizes that the fireworks are causing distress to others when they hear their neighbors screaming.

He's a third world man
The singer reiterates that Johnny is a product of his environment and embodies the characteristics of someone from a third world country.

When he's crying out
Johnny is in distress or pain, and is expressing this through crying out or screaming.

I just sing that Ghana Rondo
The artist responds to Johnny's distress by singing a song called Ghana Rondo, which may be a source of comfort or distraction for him.

E l'era del terzo mondo
This Italian phrase means 'It's the era of the third world', and emphasizes that the environment Johnny is living in is in a state of underdevelopment or instability.