A Little A This 'N That
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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My grandma she can make a soup
With a little a this n that
She can feed the whole sloop group
With a little a this n that
Stone soup! You know the story
Stone soup! Who needs the glory?
Just a little a this n that
Grandma likes to make a garden grow
With a little a this n that
But she likes to have the ground just so
With a little a this n that
Not too loose and not too firm
In the spring it s all got to be turned
In the fall lots of compost to feed the worms
With a little a this n that
Grandma knows we can build a future
With a little a this n that
And a few arguments never never hurt ya
With a little a this n that
True this world's in a hell of a fix
And some say oil and water don't mix
But they don't know a saladmaker's tricks
With a little a this n that
The world to come may be like a song
With a little a this n that
To make everybody want to sing along
With a little a this n that
A little dissonance ain't no sin
A little skylarking to give us all a grin
Who knows
But God's got a plan for the people to win
With a little a this n that
repeat 1st verse
The lyrics to "A Little A This 'N That" by Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger convey the wisdom and values of grandma, who is portrayed as a nurturing figure with a talent for creating harmony and abundance out of seemingly simple ingredients.
In the first verse, the song speaks of grandma's ability to make soup that can feed a large group of people. The lines "With a little a this n that" suggest that she uses whatever ingredients are available and combines them in a skillful way. This can be seen as a metaphor for life, showing that by utilizing what we have and being resourceful, we can provide for others and find satisfaction.
The second verse describes grandma's love for gardening and her knowledge of the importance of balance. The line "Not too loose and not too firm" refers to how she prepares the soil for planting, highlighting the need for the right conditions to encourage growth. Additionally, the mention of compost and feeding the worms emphasizes the importance of sustainability and taking care of the earth.
Next, the song suggests that with a little bit of this and that, grandma believes we can build a better future. The line "And a few arguments never never hurt ya" suggests that even disagreements can contribute to growth and progress. It implies that by embracing diversity and different perspectives, we can overcome the challenges that the world faces.
Lastly, the lyrics propose that the world to come can be compared to a harmonious song. The idea that a little dissonance is not a sin suggests that even amidst differences, there is room for unity. The reference to God's plan for the people to win implies that with a combination of various elements and efforts, there is hope for a brighter future.
Overall, "A Little A This 'N That" highlights the importance of simplicity, resourcefulness, balance, and unity in creating a better world. It suggests that by embracing these values, like grandma does, we can find joy, sustenance, and a path towards a future where everyone can thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
My grandma she can make a soup
My grandma has a special skill for creating a delicious soup
With a little a this n that
Using various ingredients and techniques
She can feed the whole sloop group
She can provide nourishment for a large group of people
With a little a this n that
By using a combination of different ingredients
Stone soup! You know the story
Reminding us of the story of stone soup
Stone soup! Who needs the glory?
Emphasizing that the success of the meal is more important than personal recognition
But with grandma cookin no need to worry!
There's no need to be concerned when grandma is cooking
Just a little a this n that
Simply by using different ingredients and techniques
Grandma likes to make a garden grow
Grandma enjoys cultivating a garden
With a little a this n that
By using various gardening methods
But she likes to have the ground just so
She prefers the ground to be in perfect condition
With a little a this n that
Achieving this through a mix of techniques
Not too loose and not too firm
Finding the right balance in the soil consistency
In the spring it s all got to be turned
Preparing the soil in spring for planting
In the fall lots of compost to feed the worms
Using compost to nourish the soil and benefit the ecosystem
With a little a this n that
Using a variety of elements
Grandma knows we can build a future
Grandma understands that we have the ability to shape our future
With a little a this n that
By incorporating various strategies and ideas
And a few arguments never never hurt ya
Engaging in constructive debates can actually be beneficial
With a little a this n that
By considering different perspectives and opinions
True this world's in a hell of a fix
Indeed, the world is facing significant challenges
And some say oil and water don't mix
Some people believe that certain things cannot be combined harmoniously
But they don't know a saladmaker's tricks
They are unaware of the skills and creativity of a salad maker
With a little a this n that
By using different ingredients and techniques
The world to come may be like a song
The future world could be harmonious, like a beautiful song
With a little a this n that
Achieving this through a mix of diverse elements
To make everybody want to sing along
Creating an environment where everyone feels inspired and included
With a little a this n that
By incorporating various components
A little dissonance ain't no sin
Having some disagreement or contrast is not inherently wrong
A little skylarking to give us all a grin
Engaging in playful activities to bring joy to everyone
Who knows
None can say for sure
But God's got a plan for the people to win
There is a divine plan that will lead humanity to victory
With a little a this n that
By utilizing various elements and approaches
repeat 1st verse
Repeating the initial verse to reinforce the message of the song
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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