The Wheelbarrow
Major Parkinson Lyrics


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This is your life, it isn't much
Learn to live, learning to touch
Pulling the brakes, but still the wheels keep turning around
This is your life, and it is mundane
Follow the tacks in a maze through the barrens
Never to find your way home
Circling vultures and flicking lanterns
Showed you the way to the square of your mind
Moving the hands that you claim as your own,
it's inevitable, it's inevitable like time
Poor Lizzy McKay, she wasn't the same after the crash
According to rumors she had a relapse, or may I say, a nervous breakdown
Nothing was real except the old memories of summertime
Hobbling barefoot over the pebbles and bubble wrap
She was the queen among the powder'd bag-wigs and ruffy-tuffy heads
Poor Lizzy McKay, she wasnt the same after the fall
with letters from Paris and cabinet card pictures from Montreal
Having a ball, lost in the pages of the devouring summertime
Lizzy McKay created a garden of figurines and libertines among the statues of clay
She can do anything, she can love everyone
doing thes ame routine over and over
Sparkling diamond ring, doing the highland fling
Pulling the same routine over and over
Dancing through repetition
Poor mr. Demille, he wasn't the same after the war
Lost in delirium, he was Napoleons troubadour at Borodino
Always too feeble, always too quail for the kettledrum
Down at the floodgate he was a priest with a timber boom
He thought a spike broom was a gunstock of hay
He can do anything, he can fight anyone,
doing the same routine over and over
Cold as a diamond ring, covered in gabardine
Marching through time, he gets older and older
We can do anything, we can change everyone,
pulling the same routine over and over
Writing a symphony of dwelling disharmony,
pulling the plug is just out of the question
Dance me through repetition!
Spruces and foxgloves in plum colored cascades
Wheelbarrows of pinecones and cloudberry cream
It's Monday, it's Tuesday, and nothing is happening
Squirrels and ducks pushing marbles
The conifer forest is yours for the rest of the day
There's no way of knowing, the river keeps flowing on and on and on
This is your life, it isn't much
Learning to live, learning to touch
Pulling the brakes, but still the wheels keep turning around
This is your life, and it is mundane
Follow the tracks in a maze through the barrens
Never to find your way home
Circling vultures and flickering lanterns
showed you the way to the square of your mind
Moving the hands that you claim as your own,
it's inevitable, it's inevitable like time
She can do anything, he can change anyone,
doing the same routine over and over
Bold as a diamond ring, doing the highland fling




Marching through time, they get older and older
Dancing, dancing, dancing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Major Parkinson’s song, “The Wheelbarrow,” focus on the monotony and routine of daily life while also exploring the possibility of breaking free from that cycle. The opening lines highlight the mundanity of life and the need to learn to live and touch despite the predictable nature of life. Despite efforts to stop the wheels from turning, they continue to spin, suggesting that it is inevitable that life will carry on.


The second verse shifts to a character named Lizzy McKay who seemingly had a breakdown after a crash. The lyrics suggest that Lizzy clings to old memories of summertime and creates a world of figurines and libertines to escape from the mundane reality of her life. The chorus then repeats the idea that individuals can do anything and love anyone, but they fall into the same routine over and over again, similar to the “spruces and foxgloves” and “wheelbarrows of pinecones” that push marbles in the park.


The final verse focuses on a character named Mr. Demille who was changed by the war and lost in delirium. He was once Napoleon’s troubadour at Borodino but now can only do the same routine over and over again. The chorus returns with the idea that individuals can do anything and change anyone but they continue to fall into the same routine. The final lines of the song depict dancing through repetition, suggesting that despite the monotony of life, we can still find beauty and joy in the routine.


Line by Line Meaning

This is your life, it isn't much
Your life is dull and uninteresting.


Learn to live, learning to touch
Try to experience life, learn to really feel things.


Pulling the brakes, but still the wheels keep turning around
You try to stop or slow down, but time keeps moving forward.


This is your life, and it is mundane
Your life is boring and uneventful.


Follow the tacks in a maze through the barrens
Navigate through a monotonous and barren existence.


Never to find your way home
You won't discover a meaningful purpose or direction in life.


Circling vultures and flicking lanterns
Symbols of death and flickering memories, suggesting a limited time to find meaning.


Showed you the way to the square of your mind
Signs that lead you to contemplate your own thoughts and existence.


Moving the hands that you claim as your own
Acting intentionally, but ultimately being governed by time and fate.


it's inevitable, it's inevitable like time
The passing of time and the progression of life are natural and unstoppable forces.


Poor Lizzy McKay, she wasn't the same after the crash
Lizzy's life changed after a traumatic experience.


According to rumors she had a relapse, or may I say, a nervous breakdown
There were rumors that Lizzy's trauma led to a mental breakdown.


Nothing was real except the old memories of summertime
In the midst of pain and confusion, only pleasant memories from the past remain tangible.


Hobbling barefoot over the pebbles and bubble wrap
Recalling specific sensory details from a past time, potentially as a way to cope with present struggles.


She was the queen among the powder'd bag-wigs and ruffy-tuffy heads
In her memories, Lizzy had a sense of elevated status or importance, possibly due to the influence of those around her.


with letters from Paris and cabinet card pictures from Montreal
Lizzy's memories include artifacts from faraway places, which may inspire feelings of nostalgia or escapism.


Having a ball, lost in the pages of the devouring summertime
Lizzy recalls a time of carefree enjoyment, surrounded by memories of summer.


Lizzy McKay created a garden of figurines and libertines among the statues of clay
Lizzy has vivid recollections of a world that she created in her imagination, blending reality and fantasy.


She can do anything, she can love everyone
Her memories are not limited by reality, as she projects herself onto imagined scenarios and love interests.


doing the same routine over and over
Lizzy's reality is monotonous and unchanging, while her imagination provides endless variety.


Sparkling diamond ring, doing the highland fling
She is living out grand and extravagant experiences in her mind, like dancing and wearing expensive jewelry.


Cold as a diamond ring, covered in gabardine
Her imagination is a refuge from her harsh reality, and its contents are as permanent and unfeeling as a diamond ring.


Marching through time, he gets older and older
Time relentlessly continues, and with it, the aging of an individual.


We can do anything, we can change everyone, pulling the same routine over and over
As humans, we have the capacity for change and the ability to influence others, but we can still fall into monotonous patterns of existence.


Writing a symphony of dwelling disharmony, pulling the plug is just out of the question
Even in moments of discord or dissonance, there is a resistance or inability to completely unplug or disconnect from reality.


Dance me through repetition!
The repetition of life, while monotonous, can still be celebrated and experienced in a joyful way.


Spruces and foxgloves in plum colored cascades
Vibrant natural imagery representing the beauty and richness of life.


Wheelbarrows of pinecones and cloudberry cream
Nostalgic images associated with simple and enjoyable activities or experiences.


It's Monday, it's Tuesday, and nothing is happening
The monotony of life can make days bleed together, without anything significant or noteworthy occurring.


Squirrels and ducks pushing marbles
Even mundane activities can have a touch of whimsy or playfulness.


The conifer forest is yours for the rest of the day
In the midst of a repetitive life, there are moments or days that can still feel special or meaningful.


There's no way of knowing, the river keeps flowing on and on and on
The future is uncertain and unknown, while time continuously carries us forward.


She can do anything, he can change anyone, doing the same routine over and over
Despite being confined to certain patterns or routines, humans still hold potential for growth and transformation.


Bold as a diamond ring, doing the highland fling
Boldness and extravagance can still be experienced internally, even if external circumstances are limiting.


Dancing, dancing, dancing
The joy of dancing and celebrating life, despite its challenges and monotony.




Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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