His most famous work is Alice's Restaurant, a talking blues song that lasts eighteen minutes and twenty seconds (in its original recorded version; Guthrie has been known to spin the story out to forty-five minutes in concert). The song, a bitingly satirical protest against the Vietnam War draft, is based on a true incident. In the song, Guthrie was called up for a draft examination, and rejected as unfit for military service as a result of a criminal record consisting in its entirety of a single arrest, court appearance, fine and clean-up order for littering. In reality, Guthrie, though a carrier of the genetically inherited disease Huntington's chorea, was classified as fit (1A); however, his draft-lottery number did not come up.
All Work Together
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics
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There's all kinds of work that I can do:
Dry my dishes, sweep my floor,
But if we all work together it won't take very long.
We all work together with a wiggle and a giggle,
We all work together with a giggle and a grin.
We all work together with a wiggle and a giggle,
My sister told me,
Brother told me, too,
Lots an' lotsa work
That I can do.
I can bring her candy.
Bring him gum.
But if we all work together
Hadn't oughtta take long. So
My daddy said,
And my grandpaw, too,
There's work, worka, work
For me to do.
I can paint my fence.
Mow my lawn.
But if we all work together,
Well, it shouldn't take long. So
I tell Mama an' Daddy,
Grampaw an' Granmaw, too,
I tell my sister an' my brother,
Lotsa work for you to do.
You can bring me pennie
And candy and gum;
But if we all work together
'town't take so very long. And so
We all work together with a wiggle and a giggle,
We all work together with a giggle and a grin.
We all work together with a wiggle and a giggle,
We all work together with a giggle and a grin.
With a wiggle and a giggle and a google and a goggle
And a jigger and a jagger and a giggle and a grin.
The lyrics of "All Work Together" by Arlo Guthrie & Family exude the message of unity and teamwork through common household chores. The song starts with the singer telling how his mommy and teacher encourage him to work and how he can perform small tasks like drying dishes and sweeping the floor. However, if everyone works together, even the bigger tasks wouldn't take much time.
As the song progresses, the singer's sister and brother give examples of different tasks that they can do, like bringing candy, gum, and pennies, which may not sound like big tasks but can contribute to the overall process. The singer's father and grandfather also add to the narrative, stating that there is a lot of work to do, and individually, they can complete tasks like painting the fence and mowing the lawn. But with everyone's participation, the work can be done quickly and efficiently.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of working together, bringing a sense of fun and joy in the process. The use of words like giggles, wiggles, and grins denotes that work doesn't always have to be monotonous but can be made enjoyable with a little help and cooperation.
Overall, the song highlights the significance of teamwork and unity to achieve common goals. The lyrics are simple, relatable and can be understood by people of all ages. It encourages listeners to contribute their bit, no matter how small, and emphasizes that collective effort can lead to efficient work.
Line by Line Meaning
My mommy told me an' the teacher told me, too,
I have been advised by my mother and teacher that there are various kinds of work I can do.
There's all kinds of work that I can do:
There are multiple types of work that I am capable of doing.
Dry my dishes, sweep my floor,
I can clean up after myself by drying dishes or sweeping the floor.
But if we all work together it won't take very long.
If everyone works collaboratively, tasks can be completed relatively quickly.
We all work together with a wiggle and a giggle,
We work together in a joyful manner, filled with wiggles and giggles.
We all work together with a giggle and a grin.
We work collaboratively with smiles on our faces.
My sister told me,
My sister informed me that there are other tasks I can complete.
Brother told me, too,
My brother also advised me on tasks I can complete.
Lots an' lotsa work
That I can do.
There are several tasks that I am capable of completing.
I can bring her candy.
Bring him gum.
As an example, I can bring my sister candy and my brother gum.
But if we all work together
Hadn't oughtta take long. So
If everyone contributes and collaborates, tasks can be completed swiftly.
My daddy said,
My father also advised me on tasks I can complete.
And my grandpaw, too,
My grandfather also gave me pointers on tasks that need to be done.
There's work, worka, work
For me to do.
There is plenty of work available that I am capable of completing.
I can paint my fence.
Mow my lawn.
Examples of things I can do include painting the fence and mowing the lawn.
But if we all work together,
Well, it shouldn't take long. So
Collaboration and cooperation can speed up the work that needs to be done.
I tell Mama an' Daddy,
Grampaw an' Granmaw, too,
I inform my family members, such as my mother, father, grandparents, of tasks that can be done collaboratively.
I tell my sister an' my brother,
Lotsa work for you to do.
I also tell my siblings that there are plenty of tasks to complete.
You can bring me pennie
And candy and gum;
As an example, my siblings can bring me money, candy, or gum.
But if we all work together
'town't take so very long. And so
If we all collaborate and provide our assistance, completing tasks will be faster and more efficient.
We all work together with a wiggle and a giggle,
We all work together in a joyful manner, with wiggling and giggling included.
We all work together with a giggle and a grin.
We all work collaboratively with smiles on our faces.
With a wiggle and a giggle and a google and a goggle
And a jigger and a jagger and a giggle and a grin.
We work in a harmonious and collaborative manner with sprightly and cheerful attitudes.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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