Wash Jones
Squirrel Nut Zippers Lyrics
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When the cypress butted in
Out of car parts, a raven
Made a nest inside my skin
To understand me better
You all ought to follow me home
I make a wish I clean the fish
I can scream like the cicada
Gin the seed right out of the bowl
Ride the train to Memphis
When there's cotton to be sold
To understand this better
You all ought to follow me home
Make a wish & clean the fish
That's why they call me Wash Jones
I feel like driving but my car won't run
I feel like plowing but my mules won't come
I was lost down in the bottom
I was cutting through the cane
Tied my team up to a rusty trace chain
That's why they call me Wash Jones
The lyrics of Squirrel Nut Zippers' song Wash Jones paint a surreal picture of a man who speaks in riddles and bizarre imagery. He introduces himself as someone who was talking to an oak tree when a cypress interrupted him. He tells the listener that a raven made a nest inside his skin, and if they want to understand him better, they should follow him home. He boasts of his ability to scream like a cicada, gin the seed out of a bowl of cotton, and ride the train to Memphis when there's cotton to be sold. He repeats his name, Wash Jones, and explains that he was given that name because he makes a wish and cleans the fish.
Line by Line Meaning
I was talking to an oak tree
I was lost in my thoughts, maybe confused or needed guidance.
When the cypress butted in
But someone interrupted me, maybe trying to help or provide a different perspective.
Out of car parts, a raven
Unexpected things can happen or people can come into your life in unconventional ways.
Made a nest inside my skin
In this case, it seems like the person is saying that an unexpected or unwanted thing has become a part of them, or maybe they're carrying a burden.
To understand me better
The person wants others to understand them and where they're coming from.
You all ought to follow me home
They want others to see their life and experiences to gain this understanding.
I make a wish I clean the fish
The person is highlighting simple, everyday actions that they do.
I can scream like the cicada
Maybe implying that the person has a unique or interesting talent or characteristic.
Gin the seed right out of the bowl
The person has a specific way or process of doing things, and they're proud of it.
Ride the train to Memphis
A metaphor for going somewhere or doing something exciting or important.
When there's cotton to be sold
Maybe referring to hard work or doing what needs to be done to make a living.
Make a wish & clean the fish
Repeating this line, possibly to emphasize the simple pleasures in life or the importance of taking care of oneself.
That's why they call me Wash Jones
The person is known for their actions, habits, or personality quirks.
I feel like driving but my car won't run
Maybe feeling frustrated or held back in pursuing what you want to do.
I feel like plowing but my mules won't come
Again, feeling held back or frustrated in work or productivity.
I was lost down in the bottom
Similarly to the first line, feeling lost or confused.
I was cutting through the cane
Maybe trying to find a way out or a path to follow.
Tied my team up to a rusty trace chain
The person is working with what they have, even if it's not ideal or perfect.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES MATHUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind