Oranges And Lemons Again
Jools Holland Lyrics

In Jools Holland's song Oranges And Lemons Again, the opening line, "Oh it's the crooked leg, the crooked mile" refers to a nursery rhyme, "There Was A Crooked Man," in which the singer has a crooked leg and walks a crooked mile. The lyrics also mention "the hotel lift and the menacing smile," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the oppressive and claustrophobic atmosphere of a hotel or any enclosed space. The "itinerant child" referred to could symbolize the desire for freedom and wanderlust, as well as a longing to escape the rigid rules of society. The desire to catch a glimpse of Mr. Oscar Wilde, a controversial figure in Victorian society, could represent a thirst for rebellion and non-conformity, as well as admiration for those who challenge societal norms.

The chorus, "And it's turned out oranges and lemons again, all three bells in a row, we're in and out of the Eagle, up and down the City Road," is a reference to the traditional English nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons." The three bells mentioned in the song signify the three churches mentioned in the nursery rhyme. The Eagle is a pub located on the City Road in London, which is known to have a diverse clientele from all walks of life. The reference to "Sweet Gene Vincent" and "mean old Ronnie Kray" could be interpreted as a nod to the rebellious and rough-edged spirit of rock and roll, with Gene Vincent representing the carefree and wild side of the genre, and Ronnie Kray representing its darker, edgier side. The mention of "trouser pocket boys in unromantic places" and "cigarettes falling from their sallow faces" further emphasizes the grittiness and rawness associated with rock and roll culture.

Overall, Oranges And Lemons Again appears to be a nostalgic and rebellious ode to the spirit of British culture, with references to traditional nursery rhymes, classic British figures like Oscar Wilde, and rock and roll icons like Gene Vincent.