Break it down
Hirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why should ev'rybody pity me,
Nighttime's falling, folks are a singin',
they dance till break of day
Dear Old Southland with it's dreamy songs
Takes me back there where I belong
How I'd love to be in mammy's arms
When It's Sleepy Time Down South
The lyrics of "Break it Down" by Al Hirt describe the emotional journey of the singer who is feeling homesick, tired and alone in a big city. The song offers a glimpse into the melancholic, yet deeply reflective inner world of someone who is struggling to adapt to a new environment. Throughout the song, Al Hirt reflects on his feelings of isolation and longing for the comfort of home. The lyrics express a sense of yearning and a sentimental attachment to the old South, with its dreamy songs and comforting memories. The singer longs to be surrounded by familiar faces, to have a sense of belonging and to be embraced by the warmth of his family. The song evokes feelings of nostalgia, longing and emotional vulnerability, beautifully captured by Al Hirt's poignant and reflective vocals.
One of the main themes of the song is the contrast between the fast-paced life of the big city and the slower, more intimate pace of life in the South. The lyrics allude to the vibrant nightlife of the city, characterized by people singing and dancing till dawn. Yet, instead of feeling uplifted by the energy and excitement of the city, the singer feels even lonelier and more detached. The song suggests that despite the vibrancy and energy of city life, there can be a deep sense of detachment and loneliness that comes with it. Ultimately, the lyrics affirm the importance of being rooted in one's cultural and familial heritage, highlighting the profound impact that these connections can have on a person's sense of identity and wellbeing.
Line by Line Meaning
Homesick tired All alone in a big city
Feeling sad and exhausted, completely by myself in a heavily populated area
Why should ev'rybody pity me,
Questioning why people would feel sorry for my situation
Nighttime's falling, folks are a singin',
As the night comes, people are singing
they dance till break of day
They dance until the morning comes
Dear Old Southland with it's dreamy songs
The beloved region of the South with its soothing tunes
Takes me back there where I belong
It brings me back to my roots, where I believe I belong
How I'd love to be in mammy's arms
I long to be in my mother's comforting embrace
When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Referring to the relaxation and peaceful state that one would typically have at night in the Southern region
Lyrics © OTIS RENE PUBLICATIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Clarence Muse, Leon Rene, Otis Rene
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thinkuthink
I haven't been this excited to subscribe to a channel in a while! Thank you so much for your vibrancy and little side tips like playing with buttons for lil therapeutic moments of ASMR. I feel so seen :D I hope you never stop adding those details even as your channel inevitably grows and you're tempted to streamline your presentation. Resist! Resist! 😝Much love, I look forward to more ❤
@TheCatBirdQuilts
Oh my goodness,thank you! 🥰 So excited to have you along with me!!
@stephanieernst4963
I found your channel right before my father passed away. As part of a long visit at my home my mother and I worked on memory quilts with his dress shirts.
We deconstructed 48 xxl dress shirts! Over two months, made six large lap quilt tops for immediate family, ten lap quilts for grandchildren and I still have lots of scraps. My mother did the majority of sewing while I cut and pressed to keep her moving forward.
I have one more to make for myself. Using this process as a grief mechanism. My dad loved that I am a quilter and I want to honor him in memory. I’m going to use a pattern from Fat Quarter Shop called Brick House after thinking about a song by Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me”.
Thank you for the videos. I really enjoy listening to your instructions and laughter while I’m sewing. It reminds me that sewing is joyful!
@TheCatBirdQuilts
Oh my goodness, Stephanie! 🥺 I'm so sorry to hear that your father has passed away...and also blown away by your mother's and your productivity and use of his shirts! ❤️ I lost my mother many years ago, so I can relate to processing grief through handwork (mine was cross-stitch at the time.) It is one of the chief ways that I make sense of my world and the challenges it brings---therapy if you will. I'm 100% positive that your quilt for yourself will be a beautiful tribute to your dad and the memories that you shared while he was living. Thank you for your sweet and personal comment; I am very blessed by your sharing and humbled and honored that my channel and videos brings you laughter and can be a reminder of the power of the joy of sewing! So much love to you--❤️
@nancyburke1628
My husband passed away in 2021 and I decided to make memory quilts for my grandchildren. I do not have any one to help me with this project so I am making slow progress. I am also a beginner and have decided to make 12 inch blocks so that it will go a bit faster. I have been searching for some different block patterns and I have not been having much success. Would you be able to give me some tips? Some of the shirts his initials on the cuffs and I was planning on incorporating them in some of the blocks.
@annettemaxie-mahmoud2390
Great video Cathy! My husband is retired now, but used to dress up for work everyday so I have a ton of beautiful dress shirts already laundered that I will use to try making a quilt with! So excited I found your channel!
@TheCatBirdQuilts
Oh yay, Annette! I’m so glad you found me too! ❤️
@BAYOUTOWNProductions
When I take apart a dress shirt for fabric, I save ALL of my seams to use for garden ties. They do an amazing job for tying up vines and stems. Don't throw them away! They will naturally deteriorate if they are cotton and become part of your garden compost.
@TheCatBirdQuilts
Another person suggested this too! Genius! 🤩😍😊
@patemmack7205
My first thought was, “Wow, she must have an amazing button collection!”
The quality of buttons on older clothing or high quality shirts is so much better than the buttons sold in fabric stores today.
I love the idea of recycling mens dress shirts. I am a cross stitcher, and I plan to make some quilted project bags.