Uncle Remus
Frank Zappa Lyrics
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Have you seen us,
Uncle Remus . . .
We look pretty sharp in these clothes (yes, we do)
Unless we get sprayed with a hose
It ain't bad in the day
If they squirt it your way
'Cept in the winter, when it's froze
On yer nose
On yer nose
Just keep yer nose
To the grindstone, they say
Will that redeem us,
Uncle Remus . . .
I can't wait till my Fro is full-grown
I'll just throw 'way my Doo-Rag at home
I'll take a drive to BEVERLY HILLS
Just before dawn
An' knock the little jockeys
Off the rich people's lawn
An' before they get up
I'll be gone, I'll be gone
Before they get up
I'll be knocking the jockeys off the lawn
Down in the dew
The song "Uncle Remus" by Frank Zappa is a satirical commentary on racial tensions and stereotypes in American society. The lyrics suggest that despite African Americans' attempts to conform and assimilate into mainstream culture by dressing sharply and working hard, they are still subject to discrimination and harassment. The line "Unless we get sprayed with a hose" refers to the police using water hoses to disperse black people during civil rights protests, while "Just keep yer nose to the grindstone" is a common American saying encouraging hard work and dedication.
The chorus repeats the question "Will that redeem us, Uncle Remus?" Uncle Remus is a fictional character from the book "Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings" by Joel Chandler Harris, who is a symbol of the African American folk tradition. By invoking his name, Zappa is highlighting the ways black culture has been appropriated and exploited in America, while also hinting at the idea of redemption through art and creativity. The final verse about knocking the jockeys off the lawn in Beverly Hills is a sarcastic reference to the desire for social mobility and respectability among African Americans, who are denied the same opportunities as white people due to systemic racism.
Line by Line Meaning
Wo, are we movin' too slow?
Are we not making progress at the expected pace?
Have you seen us, Uncle Remus . . .
Are you aware of our situation, Uncle Remus?
We look pretty sharp in these clothes (yes, we do)
We appear fashionable in these attire (granted)
Unless we get sprayed with a hose
The only exception is if we get soaked with water pressure from a hose
It ain't bad in the day
It's not always terrible during the day
If they squirt it your way
That is, if the hose is directed towards you
'Cept in the winter, when it's froze
Except, of course, in the season of winter when it would freeze
An' it's hard if it hits
If the water strikes you directly
On yer nose
On your nose
Just keep yer nose
It's advisable to work hard and not get distracted
To the grindstone, they say
As they always advise people to work and stubbornly pursue their goals
Will that redeem us, Uncle Remus . . .
Do you think that would be our salvation, uncle Remus?
I can't wait till my Fro is full-grown
I'm excited about the idea of having a matured curly hair
I'll just throw 'way my Doo-Rag at home
I would abandon my Doo-Rag (head covering) at home
I'll take a drive to BEVERLY HILLS
I would go for a cruise to Beverly Hills
Just before dawn
At the period just immediately before sunlight breaks forth
An' knock the little jockeys
I will hit down the small horse riders
Off the rich people's lawn
On the grassfield of the affluent
An' before they get up
With the aim of finishing before they wake up
I'll be gone, I'll be gone
I'd be 'out of sight and out of mind' after the operation
Before they get up
I would leave before they wake up
I'll be knocking the jockeys off the lawn
I will be pushing down and removing the horse riders out of the compound
Down in the dew
Out in the field, amidst grass and morning dampness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRANK VINCENT ZAPPA, GEORGE DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
3SHGUITARS
I always thought this song should be longer, but when I heard the extended version I understood it's as long as it has to be. Amazing tune
UnTostapane
There's no way I'm lucid while listening to this and the fact that Frank is moving fucks me up big time
Rob E
Tell me about it, I have never seen this “visualizer” version. Freaked me out a bit at first. Thought I was trippin a bit.
carlos eduardo ribeiro
mano eu escuto isso no fone e simplesmente viajo pra outro lugar imediatamente, não sei aonde mas vou....
colin
This song is just a blessing to the ears
Deise Mikhail
So hard to play, so easy to listen to, that's the genius of music.
NorAI
It's just sad that most of his songs aren't like this album, "easy to listen and enjoyable" in the positive meaning, with feeling and a good tone, while most I've heard are musical masturbations without a start and an end.
The most recommended pieces are his worst and/or his longest, and the worst part is that he and Rush and Tool and others are now called prog, 'cos of the new American criteria diffused by ProgArchives.
DaWiredChristian
Truly a superb Composition. 💖
Hail Mary Recordings
This is my favorite guitar-solo ever … by anyone. ☮️
Findlay Hobby-Bell
Absolutely 😁👍