Four Jacks & A Jill is one of few South African groups to score a Stateside… Read Full Bio ↴Four Jacks & A Jill is one of few South African groups to score a Stateside hit. Their folksy tale "Master Jack," made the Top 20, nesting at #18, June 8, 1968. The members were Glenys Lynne (Jill), Clive Harding (bass), Till Hanamann (guitar), Bruce Barks (guitar), and Tony Hughes (drums). Glenys sung lead and had a voice that was undeniably folksy, rather she tried to sing that style or not, everything came out that way. Their second single "Mr. Nico" made the States chart too, but barely, entering the Pop 100 and immediately stalling at #98. The four guys sans Jill originally formed in 1964 and went through two name changes before adding Glenys and becoming Four Jacks & A Jill. Out-the-box they scored a South African hit entitled "Timothy." Unfortunately, they never graced the charts in the States after "Mr. Nico," but remained viable and quite popular in South Africa. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide

Hey Mister
Four Jacks And A Jill Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
I'll never know the hardships you've been through
Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
Yet I write my songs about the things you do

You dig in the dark to search for the light
Perhaps you've been a troubled man?
But I was born lucky where troubles are light

The work you've done will never pass through my hands

Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
I'll never know the hardships you've been through
Hey, hey, hey, mister, I know nothing about you
Yet I write my songs about the things you do

In my social circle we always complain
We're never satisfied with we've got
But we've been sheltered from the wind and the rain
Makes you the man I'll never be and I'm not

Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
I'll never know the hardships you've been through
Hey, hey, hey, mister, I know nothing about you
Yet I write my songs about the things you do

I hope you forgive me when I try to say
We sing what your life's all about
But if I really could
I'd help you some way
Though I'm on the inside looking out

Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
I'll never know the hardships you've been through
Hey, hey, hey, mister, I know nothing about you
Yet I write my songs about the things you do

Hey, hey, hey mister
Hey mister

Hey mister
Hey

Overall Meaning

The song "Hey Mister" by Four Jacks and A Jill is about the disconnect between people from different social and economic backgrounds. The singer of the song addresses an unknown man, referred to as "mister," and acknowledges that they know nothing about his life's struggles and hardships. Despite not knowing anything specific about him, the singer still writes songs about the things he does, acknowledging the impact that his life has had on others.

The lyrics highlight how easy it is to take things for granted and not recognize the hard work that others have done. The singer reflects on their own fortunate position, admitting that they have never experienced the same hardships as the man they are addressing. They come to realize that the man's struggles have made him into someone they can never be, which creates a sense of guilt and empathy.

Overall, "Hey Mister" conveys a powerful message about empathy and understanding. It reminds us that we should never forget the struggles that others have gone through and that acknowledging their existence is crucial in creating a more equal and kinder society.

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Line by Line Meaning

Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
Although we have never met, I acknowledge that I am unaware of your experiences and struggles

I'll never know the hardships you've been through
I can never truly understand the difficulties and hardships you have faced in your life

Hey, mister, I know nothing about you
I repeat that I lack knowledge of your personal story and background

Yet I write my songs about the things you do
Despite my lack of understanding, I still craft my music inspired by your actions and impact on society

You dig in the dark to search for the light
You have persevered through difficult times to pursue positivity and a brighter future

Perhaps you've been a troubled man?
I pose a question wondering if you have undergone trying situations that have shaped your life

But I was born lucky where troubles are light
I acknowledge that I have been fortunate in life and have not faced the same level of adversity as you may have experienced

The work you've done will never pass through my hands
I recognize that any effort or contributions you have made may not directly affect me, but I still hold respect and admiration for them

In my social circle we always complain
Within my group of acquaintances, we often express dissatisfaction despite our privileges

We're never satisfied with what we've got
Our desires and expectations continuously escalate without appreciation for what we already possess

But we've been sheltered from the wind and the rain
We have not experienced the same struggles and obstacles as you have faced, as we have been provided with comfort and resources in our lives

Makes you the man I'll never be and I'm not
Your fortitude and resilience make you a role model that I aspire to emulate but likely never will, as I have not undergone the same trying circumstances

I hope you forgive me when I try to say
I request your pardon if my words ever come across as presumptuous or insensitive

We sing what your life's all about
Our music is inspired by your life experiences and the impact they have had on others

But if I really could
If it were possible for me to make a difference

I'd help you some way
I would offer assistance to alleviate any struggles you may be facing

Though I'm on the inside looking out
Despite my desire to help, I am still far removed from experiencing the realities of your life

Hey, hey, hey mister
Repetition and emphasis on acknowledging the subject of the song

Hey mister
Continued recognition and addressal of the individual mentioned throughout the song

Hey mister
Continued repetition and emphasis on the subject of the song

Hey
Final exclamation emphasizing the acknowledgement and appreciation for the man the song is addressing

Contributed by Kaitlyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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