Organ Grinder
Mark & Almond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember he used to play outside the house when I was young
And the man who mended chairs and the one who sharpened knives
And the lady who sold lavender with laughter in her eyes
Funny how the time goes, and you never seem to notice till they're gone
I remember my first bicycle, my father brought it for me
I remember crying, for it wasn't painted red
And he must have gone without a lot just to see me smile
Funny how the time goes, and you never seem to notice till they're gone
The song "Organ Grinder" by Mark & Almond is a nostalgic reflection on the passing of time and the things that are lost along the way. The opening lines introduce the titular organ grinder, who would play outside the singer's house when they were young. This figure is emblematic of a bygone era, a time when street performers and tradespeople were more common sights in everyday life. The monkey that dances alongside the organ grinder is a playful touch, but also serves to underscore the fleeting nature of life and the transience of certain experiences.
The following lines mention a chair mender, a knife sharpener, and a lavender seller. These characters are similarly evocative of a different time and place, when communities were more tight-knit and local commerce was a more personal affair. The memory of the lavender seller is particular poignant, as the singer recalls the joy in her eyes as she went about her business. It is this sense of connection and humanity that seems to be missing from the present day.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the organ grinder with his little dancing monkey
The organ grinder with his monkey comes around often and is noticed by everyone.
I remember he used to play outside the house when I was young
The organ grinder has been around for a long time and has come to visit frequently.
And the man who mended chairs and the one who sharpened knives
There were other craftsmen in the neighborhood, such as the chair mender and knife sharpener, who were also well known.
And the lady who sold lavender with laughter in her eyes
The lady who sold lavender was always happy and jovial when selling her product.
Funny how the time goes, and you never seem to notice till they're gone
Time passes quickly, and we tend to take for granted the things we see every day until they are no longer around.
I remember my first bicycle, my father brought it for me
The singer has fond memories of receiving their first bicycle as a gift from their father.
I remember crying, for it wasn't painted red
The singer had a specific color preference for their bicycle and was disappointed when it wasn't the color they wanted.
I didn't know it then, but we didn't have much money
The artist didn't realize at the time that their family didn't have a lot of money.
And he must have gone without a lot just to see me smile
The artist's father probably sacrificed a lot to be able to afford the bicycle and make their child happy.
Contributed by Charlie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.