Kweskin released six albums and two greatest hits compilations on Vanguard Records between 1963-1970; Jim Kweskin's America on Reprise Records in 1971; and four albums on Mountain Railroad Records between 1978-87.
My Old Man
Jim Kweskin Lyrics
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He's a singer in the park
He's a walker in the rain
He's a dancer in the dark
We don't need no piece of paper
From the city hall
Keeping us tied and true
My old man
He's my sunshine in the morning
He's my fireworks at the end of the day
He's the warmest chord I ever heard
Play that warm chord, play and stay baby
We don't need no piece of paper
From the city hall
Keeping us tied and true
My old man
Keeping away my blues
But when he's gone
Me and them lonesome blues collide
The bed's too big
The frying pan's too wide
Then he comes home
And he takes me in his loving arms
And he tells me all his troubles
And he tells me all my charms
We don't need no piece of paper
From the city hall
Keeping us tied and true
No, my old man
Keeping away my blues
But when he's gone
Me and them lonesome blues collide
The bed's too big
The frying pan's too wide
My old man
He's a singer in the park
He's a walker in the rain
He's a dancer in the dark
We don't need no piece of paper
From the city hall
Keeping us tied and true
No, my old man
Keeping away my lonesome blues
The song “My Old Man” by Jim Kweskin speaks of the singer's appreciation for his father. He describes his father as a singer in the park, a walker in the rain, and a dancer in the dark. These lines imply that the father is a carefree and adventurous person who enjoys life to the fullest. The singer says that he doesn't need any piece of paper from the city hall to keep them tied and true. This line suggests that they don't need any formal marriage or legal document to prove their love and commitment to each other.
The singer describes his father as his sunshine in the morning and his fireworks at the end of the day. He compares him to the warmest chord he ever heard and asks him to play and stay with him. This line implies that the singer finds comfort and solace in his father's presence. The singer says that when his father is away, he feels lonely and miserable. The bed seems too big, and the frying pan appears too wide. However, when his father comes back home, he takes him in his loving arms, tells him all his troubles, and appreciates all his charms.
The song is a poignant tribute to a father who brings joy and happiness to his son's life. It portrays the bond between a father and son that is not based on any legal document or societal norm but on love, care, and mutual respect. The lyrics are simple yet profound, and the melody is charming and uplifting. The song reminds us of the importance of family and the unconditional love between parents and children.
Line by Line Meaning
My old man
The subject of the song is my father
He's a singer in the park
My father has a talent for singing and he likes to display it publicly in the park
He's a walker in the rain
No matter how bad the weather gets, my father loves to walk in the rain
He's a dancer in the dark
My father likes to dance in the dark - this could imply that he is a carefree spirit
We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall
My parents don't feel the need to get married officially, as they believe their love is already strong and real enough
Keeping us tied and true
A marriage certificate would only tie us in a legal sense, whereas we are already true to each other with or without it
My old man keeping away my blues
My father is the source of my happiness and comfort, he keeps me away from feeling blue
He's my sunshine in the morning
My father radiates optimism and positivity, making him a sun-like figure in my life
He's my fireworks at the end of the day
Just when I think my day is over, my father brings excitement and joy like fireworks lighting up the sky
He's the warmest chord I ever heard
His presence and voice have a warming effect on me, much like hearing a pleasant chord in music
Play that warm chord, play and stay baby
This line could suggest that she wants her father to stay with her and continue being a source of warmth and comfort
But when he's gone, me and them lonesome blues collide
When my father isn't around, I feel lonely and melancholy
The bed's too big, the frying pan's too wide
The absence of my father leaves a void, making everything feel too big and empty
Then he comes home, and he takes me in his loving arms
My father's return fills me with joy and he immediately embraces me in a loving way
And he tells me all his troubles, and he tells me all my charms
My father shares his worries with me, and he also compliments and praises me, boosting my confidence and sense of worth
No, my old man keeping away my lonesome blues
Again, my father is the remedy to my loneliness and sadness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY MERCER, BERNARD D. HANIGHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind