Old Rockin' Chair
Georgie Auld & His Orchestra Lyrics

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Old rockin' chair's got me, my cane by my side
Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies round this rockin' chair

My dear old aunt Harriet, in Heaven she be
Send me sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it, Judgement Day is here

Chained to my rockin' chair

Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (Rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (Ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'fore I tan your hide, now, (You're gonna tan my hide)

You know, I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (Grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (Rockin' chair)

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet, (Aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down sweet (Sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, Daddy)

Old rockin' chair gets it, son (Rocking chair get it, father)

Judgement Day is here, too (Your Judgement Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Georgie Fame and Annie Ross's song "Rockin' Chair" describe an old man who is stuck in his rocking chair. He cannot move or escape the cabin that he is in. He asks for his son to bring him some gin, but his son doesn't have any. The man is resigned to his situation and sits quietly, swatting at the flies that are around him. He thinks about his deceased aunt Harriet, and wishes for the 'sweet chariot' to come and take him away from his troubles. He feels that Judgement Day is close at hand and he is chained to his rocking chair.

The song reflects the feelings of someone who is stuck in an aged and decaying body, unable to move and enjoying the memories of the past with a sense of resignation towards his present situation. The song also highlights how death becomes a comforting thought to people in their old age, as it gives them a way to escape from their physical limitations.

Line by Line Meaning

Old rockin' chair's got me, son,
The rocking chair has taken hold of me, my son.

My cane by my side,
The cane is nearby, resting against the chair.

Now fetch me a little gin, son
Please bring me some gin, my son.

What? 'fore I tan your hide, now,
Hurry up or I will punish you.

You know, I can't get from this old cabin
I am stuck in this cabin with no escape.

I ain't goin' nowhere
I am not leaving this place.

Just sittin' me here grabbin'
I am just swatting at the flies around me.

At the flies round this old rockin' chair
The flies are swarming around the rocking chair.

Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet
Do you recall my aunt Harriet?

How long in Heaven she be?
How long has she been in Heaven?

Send me down, send me down sweet chariot
Please bring me a ride to Heaven.