High Hopes
Eddie Hodges Lyrics


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Next time you're found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant
But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time you're gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant

When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
There's a lot to be learned, that wall could fall

Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam

'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time you're feelin' bad
'Stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam

All problem's just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop




Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop, kerlpop

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eddie Hodges's song "High Hopes" talks about the importance of having hope even when things seem impossible. The first verse refers to an ant trying to move a rubber tree plant which is impossible. Yet the ant has high hopes and continues to try, despite the odds. Similarly, the second verse talks about a ram trying to break a dam, which also seems impossible. However, the ram has high hopes and continues to push, eventually succeeding in his task.


The chorus repeats the phrase "He's got high hopes, he's got high hopes, he's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes." This is a metaphorical expression for having lofty aspirations and beliefs, despite the challenges that lie in front of us. The last verse talks about problems being like toy balloons, eventually bursting and disappearing. The song encourages listeners to never lose hope and to keep pushing towards their goals.


Line by Line Meaning

Next time you're found, with your chin on the ground
If you are feeling low and hopeless, take note


There a lot to be learned, so look around
There are valuable lessons to be gleaned from your surroundings


Just what makes that little old ant
What motivates such a small creature


Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
To undertake a seemingly impossible task


Anyone knows an ant, can't
No rational person would believe an ant could actually do it


Move a rubber tree plant
Move something much larger and heavier


But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
Yet, still the ant persists with optimism and ambition


He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes
His aspirations and goals are lofty and possibly unrealistic


So any time you're gettin' low
When you're feeling down


'Stead of lettin' go
Instead of giving up


Just remember that ant
Think of the ant's perseverance and positive attitude


Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
And watch as they achieve what was initially thought impossible


When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
When you face adversity and opposition


There's a lot to be learned, that wall could fall
There are lessons to be learned from the challenges you encounter


Once there was a silly old ram
An animal who behaved foolishly


Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
Believing he could accomplish what was beyond his capabilities


No one could make that ram, scram
No one could force the ram to abandon its mission


'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
Driven by his optimism and determination


He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes
Seeking to achieve the impossible


So any time you're feelin' bad
When you're feeling sad or discouraged


'Stead of feelin' sad
Rather than wallowing in self-pity


Just remember that ram
Think of the ram's persistence and tenacity


Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
And watch as the impossible becomes possible


All problem's just a toy balloon
Any obstacles we face are small and can be overcome


They'll be bursted soon
These problems will eventually be resolved


They're just bound to go pop
Like a balloon, problems will eventually disappear


Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
And watch as obstacles disappear one by one


Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
And another one bites the dust


Oops, there goes another problem kerplop, kerlpop
Until nothing stands in our way




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@dindaadhitama2290

Next time your found
With your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned
So look around
Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant
But he's got high hopes
He's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie
In the sky hopes
So any time your gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
When troubles call
And your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned
That wall could fall
Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam
'Cause he had high hopes
He had high hopes
He had high apple pie
In the sky hopes
So any time your feelin' bad
'Stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop, kerplop



All comments from YouTube:

@ErnestoConcha-ut4cd

Que maravilla esta Dupla inolvidable e Inmortal. Eddie con Frank Sinatra.

@NOONE-cd4gu

Frank's face when the kid's voice cracked in the last note😂

@annakakurtz7593

Great and had to be intentional

@nonayassi6796

QUE LINDO CANTABA ESTE NIÑO HERMOSO❤❤❤❤

@dindaadhitama2290

Next time your found
With your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned
So look around
Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant
But he's got high hopes
He's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie
In the sky hopes
So any time your gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
When troubles call
And your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned
That wall could fall
Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam
'Cause he had high hopes
He had high hopes
He had high apple pie
In the sky hopes
So any time your feelin' bad
'Stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
Oops, there goes a billion kilowatt dam
All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop, kerplop

@juniorsegatto124

thanks for the lyrics

@pangorban1

I remember seeing A Hole in the Head on TV as a kid. It was a sad/funny film about an exasperating loser. Years later, I used to sing this song to my kids. They loved it, but they wanted to know why an ant would want to move a rubber tree plant or a ram would want to punch a hole in a dam. Who knows or cares? It's a fun song.

@annakakurtz7593

That was a good opportunity to teach them about ecology. The point is to inspire interest in something as small and stupid as ants

@gymnastix

What a cute kid that Eddie Hodges was. I remember Eddie as a teenager in an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show," in which he played a babysitter for the "Petrie" son "Richie (Larry Matthews) and fell in love with "Richie's" mother, "Laura Petrie," as portrayed by the late great Mary Tyler Moore.

I read Eddie had a rock and roll career with a couple of hit singles before he retired from show business, then served in the Army stateside during the Vietnam era, before going to college and receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology, after which he had a career as psychologist. But thank goodness we got to hear and see him as a child and young man, when Eddie was a talented actor and singer.
One other interesting bit of trivia regarding Eddie Hodges--he originated the role on Broadway of "Winthrop Paroo" in the Meredith Wilson musical "The Music Man," sang the song "Gary, Indiana" which became better-known from the film version when sung by Ronny Howard in that same role as "Winthrop," the little brother of "Marian the Librarian."

A pity there isn't a videotape or film of Eddie Hodges in his Broadway role in "The Music Man." Incidentally, the young actor who replaced Eddie as "Winthrop" in "The Music Man" and later portrayed "Oliver Twist" (with then-future Monkee Davy Jones as "The Artful Dodger") in the original Broadway production of Lionel Bart's musical "Oliver!," was Paul O'Keefe, best-known for his role of "Ross Lane," the brother of Patty Duke's "Patty Lane" in "The Patty Duke Show" for three seasons (1963-66) on ABC.

@princesssunrays

I love this song ❤️

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