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Rooty Toot Toot For the Moon
Greg Brown Lyrics


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The whole kit and kaboodle is in this fire
I know where to go
It ain't here
Little captains and coo coos
From here to Timbucktu are
Countin' their dough in a mirror

[Chorus:]
Rooty toot toot for the mo-ooon
It's the biggest star I've ever seen
It's a burrel of wisdom
Slice of green cheese
And it's burnin' just like kerosene
Burnin' just like kerosene

You're gonna hop in your old Ford
And strap on your new sword
Wait for the good Lord to return
If you got - your honey
Life can be pretty funny
If you've got money
You've got money to burn

[Chorus]

So God bless motorcycles
And all the other trifles
Ah you know you can't memorize Zen
Hang your hat on your nose
Do not hide in your clothes
Kiss somebody
Begin to begin

[Chorus]

Ah it's burnin'

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of the song, the singer hints at a possible desperate situation, stating that "the whole kit and kaboodle is in this fire". However, he knows where to go, and it is "not here", suggesting that the situation may be better elsewhere. He goes on to describe how people are obsessed with wealth and riches, counting their money in a mirror. The chorus then begins, with the singer exclaiming, "Rooty toot toot for the moon, it's the biggest star I've ever seen". Here, the moon represents something of great importance, and the singer compares it to a "barrel of wisdom" and a "slice of green cheese". However, he also notes that it is "burning just like kerosene", which may suggest that it is fragile despite its greatness.


In the second verse, the singer talks about how people prepare for the end of days by getting in their cars and strapping on their new swords, waiting for divine intervention. He then notes that "if you've got money, you've got money to burn", emphasizing again people's obsession with wealth. The song ends with the singer blessing motorcycles and other "trifles", acknowledging that life cannot be fully understood and that one should enjoy and appreciate the moments of happiness.


Overall, "Rooty Toot Toot For the Moon" seems to be a commentary on human nature and how people are driven by money and worldly possessions. The moon serves as a symbol for something greater than material wealth, but it is also not immune to destruction.


Line by Line Meaning

The whole kit and kaboodle is in this fire
Everything important is at risk in this situation


I know where to go
I have a plan for how to handle this situation


It ain't here
The solution does not lie in our current location or situation


Little captains and coo coos
People who are not qualified or responsible are making important decisions


From here to Timbucktu are Countin' their dough in a mirror
People are oblivious and only focused on their own personal gain


Rooty toot toot for the mo-ooon It's the biggest star I've ever seen It's a burrel of wisdom Slice of green cheese And it's burnin' just like kerosene Burnin' just like kerosene
The moon is seen as a symbol of wisdom and power


You're gonna hop in your old Ford And strap on your new sword Wait for the good Lord to return
Expecting divine intervention to solve our problems is not a practical solution


If you got - your honey Life can be pretty funny If you've got money You've got money to burn
Love and money have the power to make life enjoyable


So God bless motorcycles And all the other trifles Ah you know you can't memorize Zen
Life's simple pleasures are worth celebrating and enjoying, and the path to enlightenment cannot be memorized


Hang your hat on your nose Do not hide in your clothes Kiss somebody Begin to begin
Life is meant to be lived boldly, with passion and romance


Ah it's burnin'
The intensity and importance of life and its experiences are emphasized




Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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