In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town
Dave Brubeck Lyrics


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I'm up in the world,
but I'd give the world to be where I used to be,
A heavenly nest,
where I rest the best,
means more than the world to me.

It's only a shanty
in old Shanty Town
the roof is so slanty it touches the ground.
But my tumbled down shack by an old railroad track,
like a millionaire's mansion is calling me back.

I'd give up a palace if I were a king.
It's more than a palace, it's my everything.




There's a queen waiting there with a silvery crown
in a shanty in old Shanty Town.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Dave Brubeck's song "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town" express a longing for a simpler time and a simpler way of life. The singer describes how he's "up in the world" now, but he'd "give the world" to be back in his old shanty, which he describes as a "heavenly nest" where he rests the best. He goes on to describe how even though it's just a shanty, with a slanted roof that touches the ground, it's still more valuable to him than any palace, and he'd give it all up to be back in his beloved shanty town.


There is a strong sense of nostalgia and sentimentality in these lyrics. The singer clearly values the simple pleasures in life, such as the comfort of his old home and the memories associated with it. He also seems to have a deep appreciation for the sense of community and connection that comes from living in a tight-knit community like a shanty town. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a humble existence that is filled with richness and meaning.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm up in the world,
I have improved my status in life,


but I'd give the world to be where I used to be,
but I still yearn for the familiar and comfortable place where I started,


A heavenly nest,
A perfect abode,


where I rest the best,
where I sleep the deepest and more comfortably,


means more than the world to me.
is more valuable to me than anything else in the world.


It's only a shanty
It's just a small and humble house,


in old Shanty Town
in a poor neighborhood named Shanty Town,


the roof is so slanty it touches the ground.
the roof is so low that it almost reaches the ground.


But my tumbled down shack by an old railroad track,
But my old and rundown house, located near the railroad track,


like a millionaire's mansion is calling me back.
seems luxurious and inviting to me, even more than a mansion.


I'd give up a palace if I were a king.
I would willingly renounce a grand palace even if I were a king,


It's more than a palace, it's my everything.
Because my shanty is not just a house, but it represents everything that is important to me.


There's a queen waiting there with a silvery crown
There is a woman, whom I consider the queen, waiting for me there, and she deserves a crown of silver,


in a shanty in old Shanty Town.
in my humble home in the poor neighborhood of Shanty Town.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: JACK LITTLE, IRA SCHUSTER, JOE YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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