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.
The Cuckoo
Jim Kweskin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, the cuckoo, she's a fine bird
And she warbles as she flys
And she never hollers, "Cuckoo"
Till the fourth day of July
Well, I've played cards in England
And I've played cards up in Spain
That I'll beat you, very next game
Jack a'Diamonds, Jack a'Diamonds
Well, I know you of old
Well, you rob my poor pocket
Of my silver and my gold
Sometimes I wonder
What makes women love men
And sometimes I wonder
What makes men love them
Gonna build me a castle
On the mountain so high
So I can, see my Marilyn
As she goes on by
Chorus
"The Cuckoo" by Jim Kweskin is a traditional American folk song that dates back to the early 19th century. The song is about the cuckoo bird, which is known for its beautiful singing and its habit of laying its eggs in other bird's nests. The chorus emphasizes the bird's beauty and the fact that it doesn't call out until the Fourth of July, which suggests a certain unpredictability to its behavior. The verses, on the other hand, are more personal and reflective, with the singer talking about his experiences playing cards in different countries and pondering the mysteries of love.
The first verse sets the scene by describing the cuckoo's beauty and its unpredictable nature. The second verse shifts to a more personal anecdote about the singer's experiences playing cards in England and Spain. The third verse is a playful confrontation with the Jack of Diamonds, accusing him of robbing the singer's pockets. The fourth verse is a more reflective and philosophical musing on love and the differences between men and women. The final verse returns to a more concrete image, as the singer imagines building a castle on a mountain so he can watch his beloved Marilyn pass by.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the cuckoo, she's a fine bird
The singer acknowledges the beauty of the cuckoo bird
And she warbles as she flys
The cuckoo bird sings a lovely tune while in flight
And she never hollers, "Cuckoo"
Contrary to popular belief, the cuckoo bird does not actually say 'cuckoo' often
Till the fourth day of July
According to the song, the cuckoo bird only makes its signature call on Independence Day
Well, I've played cards in England
The artist has played cards in England before
And I've played cards up in Spain
The singer has also played cards in Spain
And I'll bet you ten dollars
The singer is confident in their card-playing abilities and is willing to bet money on it
That I'll beat you, very next game
The artist is challenging someone to another card game, confident that they will win
Jack a'Diamonds, Jack a'Diamonds
The artist is addressing the Jack of Diamonds card
Well, I know you of old
The artist is familiar with the Jack of Diamonds card
Well, you rob my poor pocket
The singer feels that the Jack of Diamonds card has taken their money in previous games
Of my silver and my gold
The artist has lost both silver and gold currency in this card game
Sometimes I wonder
The singer is contemplating something
What makes women love men
The singer is pondering the reasons behind why women love men
And sometimes I wonder
The singer continues to ponder
What makes men love them
This time, the artist is wondering why men love women in return
Gonna build me a castle
The artist has plans to construct a castle
On the mountain so high
This castle will be located on a very high mountain
So I can, see my Marilyn
The singer's motivation for building this castle is to see their significant other, named Marilyn
As she goes on by
The artist wants to see Marilyn while she passes by
Chorus
Repeats the first four lines, acknowledging the beauty and uniqueness of the cuckoo bird
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.