Get Up And Go
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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My get up and go has got up and went
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
And think of the places my get up has been
Old age is golden so I've heard said
But sometimes I wonder as I crawl into bed
With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup
As sleep dims my vision I say to myself
Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?
But though nations are warring and business is vexed
I'll stick around to see what happens next
How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get up and go has got up and went
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
And think of the places my get up has been
When I was young my slippers were red
I could kick up my heels right over my head
When I was older my slippers were blue
But still I could dance the whole night thru
Now I am older my slippers are black
I huff to the store and I puff my way back
But never you laugh; I don't mind at all
I'd rather be huffing than not puff at all
How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get up and go has got up and went
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
And think of the places my get up has been
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
Open the paper and read the obits
If I'm not there I know I'm not dead
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed
How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get up and go has got up and went
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
And think of the places my get up has been
Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger's song "Get Up And Go" is a humorous and introspective meditation on aging and the passage of time. The lyrics explore the changes that come with age, while also celebrating the memories and experiences that come with a life well-lived. The song's opening lines, "How do I know my youth is all spent? / My get up and go has got up and went," express a sense of resignation and acceptance that is characteristic of many people as they grow older. Despite this, the song's narrator maintains a sense of humor and perspective, recognizing that life is still full of possibilities and opportunities.
The lyrics use a series of colorful metaphors and images to convey the various stages of life. The second stanza, for example, describes the singer's changing slippers over the years, from red to blue to black. Each pair of slippers represents a different stage of life, and the singer's ability to continue dancing despite their changing color reflects a resilient and optimistic attitude. Similarly, the third stanza captures the singer's morning routine of reading the obituaries in the newspaper. This lighthearted moment serves as a reminder of the preciousness of life, and the importance of living each day to the fullest.
Overall, "Get Up And Go" is a poignant and humorous reflection on the inevitability of aging, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of life's challenges. The song's catchy melody and playful lyrics make it a favorite of many listeners, and a testament to the enduring power of folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
How do I know my youth is all spent?
As I age and my energy wanes, I wonder if my days of youthful vigor are behind me.
My get up and go has got up and went
My energy and enthusiasm have faded with the passing of time.
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
Despite my decline in energy, I'm still able to maintain a positive attitude.
And think of the places my get up has been
I reflect on the experiences and adventures that my youthful energy has allowed me to have.
Old age is golden so I've heard said
I've heard that aging can be a time of great wisdom and contentment.
But sometimes I wonder as I crawl into bed
However, there are times when I question the value of growing old and the toll it takes on my body.
With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup
I describe the process of removing my dentures and hearing aids before bed, as a reminder of the physical changes that come with old age.
My eyes on the table until I wake up
I leave my glasses on the table, as I have no use for them during sleep.
As sleep dims my vision I say to myself
As I start to fall asleep, I reflect on the changes in my life and what the future holds.
Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?
I ponder whether there are any other aspects of my life that I should let go of.
But though nations are warring and business is vexed
Despite the chaos in the world around me, I choose to remain present and continue to observe.
I'll stick around to see what happens next
I'm curious about what the future holds and want to be around to experience it.
When I was young my slippers were red
I reminisce about the fashion choices and energy I had in my youth.
I could kick up my heels right over my head
I was full of energy and exuberance, able to perform acrobatic feats like kicking my heels over my head.
When I was older my slippers were blue
As I aged, my energy and enthusiasm remained, but were tempered by experience and wisdom.
But still I could dance the whole night thru
Despite my age, I was still able to dance and enjoy life to the fullest.
Now I am older my slippers are black
As an older person, my fashion choices and style have changed, and reflect the changes in my life and body.
I huff to the store and I puff my way back
I note the physical exertion it takes to get around in my older age, but am determined to remain independent as long as possible.
But never you laugh; I don't mind at all
I recognize the humor in my physical limitations, but refuse to let them get me down.
I'd rather be huffing than not puff at all
I'd rather be alive and active, even if it means putting in more effort, than not at all.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
Each day I wake up and get my mind working, despite any physical limitations I may have.
Open the paper and read the obits
To remind myself of the impermanence of life, I read the obituary section of the newspaper each day.
If I'm not there I know I'm not dead
When I don't see my own name in the obits, I'm reminded that I'm still alive and able to keep living.
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed
I take care of myself by eating a good breakfast, then allow myself to rest and recharge for the day ahead.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PETE SEEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CatalinaThePirate
😃 Ah, I love Pete Seeger! He left behind an amazing legacy of wonderful songs and music, worked together with legends, and became one, himself. 😊 He was a rare and gentle human being, and someone who never let fame give him a swelled head. I have many fond memories... 💕
@ThomasBias
I heard Pete Seeger sing this back in 'eighty-one
He had many more years before his work was done.
He was sixty-two then; I'm sixty-four now.
I've made this far; I've got no idea how!
@benjaminwhitestone8884
Thank you Pete. No one shouted out the words we needed like you!
@banjostead
Write to > joe@joestead.com < to read my eulogy/obituary. I worked with Pete both on stage and in the recording studio. He was a friend to anybody who needed help. Peace to you. Joe Stead.
@jadamscdale
I heard Pete Seeger sing this to an audience in Iowa City in 1966 or thereabouts. It always stuck with me. I think of it as 2018 turns to 2019 and it's a whole lot closer to matching my abilities than it was back then! He kept going to the ripe old age of 94, seeming to never huff and puff.
@douglasmcconnell8116
Herd this song for the first time, can't get enough of it thank you. Mr. Seeger.
@TraciStyner
I heard Pete Seeger do this song at a magical show in Monterey, CA. 1980? The venue told him it was time to end the show, so he went outside and continued playing for those of us who wanted to stick around. Extraordinary. He was always an inspiration.
@anindyaroychowdhury
I'd rather be huffing than not puff at all...
So long, and thank you for the music.
@banjostead
Write to > joe@joestead.com < to read my eulogy/obituary. I worked with Pete both on stage and in the recording studio. He was a friend to anybody who needed help. Peace to you. Joe Stead
@elijaguy
Old age is golden So I've heard said, But sometimes I wonder As I crawl into bed, With my ears in a drawer My teeth in a cup My eyes on the table, Until I wake up, As sleep dims my vision I say to myself Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf But though nations are warring And business is vexed, I'll still stick around To see What happens and next.