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.
Wedding Song
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poor Adam alone in Eden
Taking off his shoes
Tired of running around all morning
From his animal interviews
He awoke with a hand on his brow
They spent the rest of their lives together
Making their debuts
Dressed in leaves and wearing blues
Some say one thing, some say two
Ain't much about it anyone can do
Keep on walking till my soles wear through
Wearing away my shoes
Evening comes and the sky turns red
Clouds of colors cover up our heads
Ain't it something just to lie here in bed
Just me and you
Oh Mary, wrapped up in glory
What are you going to tell your groom
How's he going to feel on the day of your wedding
What will your friends assume
Oh, but Joseph and Mary were married
The angels carried the news
What the Lord has joined together
The world must not undo
Thene's a wedding down at the church this morning
Let's uo wish them well
It's a beautiful day for getting married
I hope the weather lasts as well
It's been years since we've been married
I know we paid some dues
Now ain't it something just to lie here together
Just me and you
Outlasting the blues
Arlo Guthrie's song "Wedding Song" describes several couples who find joy in each other's company, despite the different circumstances that surround their relationships. In the beginning, the song tells the story of Adam who is exhausted with his daily animal interviews and finds comfort in Eve's companionship. They spend their lives together, wearing leaves and blues, which represents happiness. The lyrics "some say one thing, some say two, Ain't much about it anyone can do, Keep on walking till my soles wear through, Wearing away my shoes" suggests that some people may disapprove of their relationship, but it doesn't matter, and they will continue living their lives how they want to.
The second couple mentioned in the song is Joseph and Mary. At first, it seems like people might have judged their relationship because they are asking what Mary will tell her groom, and what her friends will assume. However, they were married, announced by angels, and what the lord has joined together, the world must not undo. This demonstrates the idea that true love and happiness should not be judged, and once joined together, it is meant to last.
Finally, the song comes back to Arlo's current relationship. He is lying in bed with his wife, Mary, after paying dues throughout the years. It's been a long time, but they are still together and outlasting the blues. The lyrics of the song suggest that true companionship and love can last a lifetime, and even if people disapprove, it is essential to stay true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor Adam alone in Eden
Adam was lonely when he was in the Garden of Eden
Taking off his shoes
He was tired of running around the garden all morning.
Tired of running around all morning
Adam had spent time interviewing the animals in the garden.
From his animal interviews
Adam was trying to learn more about the animals he shared the garden with.
He awoke with a hand on his brow
Adam suddenly woke up and found someone standing in front of him.
Askign who are you
He asked the person in front of him who they were.
They spent the rest of their lives together
Adam and the person he met in the garden decided to spend their lives together.
Making their debuts
They started their lives together by making a big impression.
Dressed in leaves and wearing blues
They dressed in leaves and blue clothing for their debut.
Some say one thing, some say two
Some people say one thing and others say something different.
Ain't much about it anyone can do
No one can do much about it since people have different opinions.
Keep on walking till my soles wear through
Keep going until your shoes are worn out.
Wearing away my shoes
Keep walking until your shoes are worn down.
Evening comes and the sky turns red
As the evening approached, the color of the sky changed to red.
Clouds of colors cover up our heads
The colorful clouds covered their heads.
Ain't it something just to lie here in bed
Isn't it great to just lie in bed and share time together?
Just me and you
They were lying in bed together, enjoying each other's company.
Oh Mary, wrapped up in glory
Mary was famous and well-known.
What are you going to tell your groom
What will you say to your future husband?
How's he going to feel on the day of your wedding
How will your future husband feel on the day of the wedding?
What will your friends assume
What will your friends think about your future husband?
Oh, but Joseph and Mary were married
Joseph and Mary were already married.
The angels carried the news
The angels announced the marriage of Joseph and Mary.
What the Lord has joined together
God has brought Joseph and Mary together in marriage.
The world must not undo
The world should not break their marriage apart.
Thene's a wedding down at the church this morning
There's a wedding happening at the church this morning.
Let's uo wish them well
Let's give our blessings to the couple getting married.
It's a beautiful day for getting married
The weather is perfect for a wedding day.
I hope the weather lasts as well
I hope the weather stays nice for their wedding.
It's been years since we've been married
The singer and their partner have been married for years.
I know we paid some dues
They went through some hard times in their relationship, but it's all worth it now.
Now ain't it something just to lie here together
It's amazing to lie in bed with your partner.
Just me and you
They are enjoying each other's company and their relationship.
Outlasting the blues
They have stayed strong and overcome challenges, and their relationship will continue to last.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ARLO GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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