John Du Prez (born Trevor Jones; 14 December 1946 in Sheffield, England) is a musician and composer.
Du Prez and Idle have often worked together for the music for Monty Python, most notably the score for Monty Python's The Meaning of Life and A Fish Called Wanda. They co-wrote the music for the stage musical Spamalot and the oratorio Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy).
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Eric Idle and John Du Prez Lyrics
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That I'm just too long in the tooth.
Oh I'm an O.A.P. and weak-kneed
But I have not yet quite gone to seed.
I may be over the hill now that I have retired.
Fading away but I'm not yet expired.
Clapped out, rundown, too old to save
They say I might as well face the truth.
That I'm just too long in the tooth.
I've started to deteriorate
And now I've passed my own sell-by date.
Oh I am no spring chicken it's true.
I have to pop my teeth in to chew.
And my old knees have started to knock.
I've just got too many miles on the clock.
So I'm a wrinkly, crinkly, set in my ways.
It's true my body as seen better days.
But give me half a chance and I can still misbehave.
One foot in the grave.
One foot in the grave.
One foot in the grave.
These lyrics describe the feelings of an aging person who has been told they are past their prime. The person acknowledges their age and the physical symptoms that come with it, but they refuse to give in to the idea that they are finished. The repetition of the phrase "one foot in the grave" is a reminder of their mortality, but the person maintains a sense of humor and defiance.
The lyrics touch on themes of aging, mortality, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations of what it means to be old. The person depicted in the song defies those expectations by refusing to be resigned to a life of inactivity, instead embracing their mischievous side and continuing to live life to the fullest. This message of refusing to give in to societal pressure to conform and instead embracing individuality is timeless and relatable to audiences of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
They say I might as well face the truth.
People tell me to accept the reality.
That I'm just too long in the tooth.
I'm too old for certain things.
Oh I'm an O.A.P. and weak-kneed
I'm an Old Age Pensioner and not as strong as before.
But I have not yet quite gone to seed.
I am still capable of doing things despite my age.
I may be over the hill now that I have retired.
Since I retired, I may not be as effective as before.
Fading away but I'm not yet expired.
I may be declining, but I'm still living.
Clapped out, rundown, too old to save
I'm worn out and nearing the end of my life.
One foot in the grave.
I'm getting closer to death.
I've started to deteriorate
My health and abilities are declining.
And now I've passed my own sell-by date.
I'm past my prime and not as useful as before.
Oh I am no spring chicken it's true.
I'm not young anymore.
I have to pop my teeth in to chew.
I need dentures to eat food.
And my old knees have started to knock.
My knees are becoming weak and unstable.
I've just got too many miles on the clock.
I have lived for a long time, and it's showing on my body.
So I'm a wrinkly, crinkly, set in my ways.
I'm old, stubborn and not willing to change.
It's true my body has seen better days.
My body is not as healthy as it was in my younger days.
But give me half a chance and I can still misbehave.
I'm still capable of having fun and doing things that are considered inappropriate for my age.
One foot in the grave.
I'm nearing the end of my life.
One foot in the grave.
I'm getting closer to death.
One foot in the grave.
I'm almost dead.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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