Tadpoles & Eagles
Max Stalling Lyrics
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Oh, it's hot in Texas
About as hot as it can get
Mesquite trees and cactus
Are trying hard not to sweat
Over yonder's that old paisano
He's hunting him a bit of shade
But the tadpoles in the cow trough
Buried under that cool green moss
Down where the sun don't shine
Cool in the hottest weather
Man, they're cool all the time
Chorus 1:
Oh, I'd like to join them
Wonder if there is room
For a tired and sweaty old cowboy
Tadpoles make some room
Verse 2:
Oh, my burden's heavy
I carry such a mighty load
Up above soars an eagle
I wonder if he knows
What I'd give to trade with him
Go where he goes
I wonder if that old eagle knows
What I'd give to know the heights he knows
Chorus 2:
Oh, I'd like to join him
Wonder if there is room
For a tired and sweaty old cowboy
Eagle make some room
Verse 3:
Some day will come a blue norther
Big wind and lots of rain
I'd love to be like a grand blue norther
Blow away all my pain
I'd let it all out in one mighty big breath
Dump my tears on the plains
Yeah, I'd love to be like a grand blue norther
Blow away all my pain
Chorus 3:
Oh, I'd like to join him
I wonder if there is room
For a tired and sweaty old cowboy
Norther make some room
The lyrics to Max Stalling's song "Tadpoles & Eagles" capture the essence of a hot and humid summer day in Texas. The first verse sets up the imagery of the desert landscape and the tadpoles in the cow trough, who are lucky enough to have a cool and shady spot to stay out of the heat. The chorus introduces the theme of the song: the desire of the tired and worn-out cowboy to escape the heat and find solace among the tadpoles. The second verse introduces the image of an eagle soaring high above, and the cowboy wonders if the eagle knows how fortunate he is to be able to fly freely while the cowboy remains tethered to the earth. The chorus repeats the desire to escape the heat and find refuge among the creatures that are able to escape the harshness of the summer sun.
In the third verse, the lyrics take on a more introspective tone as the cowboy contemplates his own pain and wishes he could be like a grand blue norther, which is a strong wind that moves through Texas and can bring a refreshing change from the heat. The cowboy imagines that he could release his pain with one big breath and "dump his tears on the plains." The final chorus repeats the desire to escape and find peace.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tadpoles & Eagles" use rich imagery to capture both the harsh realities of life on the ranch during the summer heat and the desire to escape that reality and find some relief.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's hot in Texas
The weather is extremely warm.
About as hot as it can get
The temperature is as high as possible.
Mesquite trees and cactus
There are desert plants around.
Are trying hard not to sweat
The desert plants are trying to conserve moisture.
Over yonder's that old paisano
An older man is standing in the distance.
He's hunting him a bit of shade
The older man is looking for a cool place to rest.
But the tadpoles in the cow trough
The baby frogs in the water trough.
Man, they sure got it made
They are comfortable and happy.
Buried under that cool green moss
They are hiding under the moss to keep cool.
Down where the sun don't shine
They are underwater, out of the sun's rays.
Cool in the hottest weather
They are comfortable in the heat.
Man, they're cool all the time
The tadpoles are always comfortable.
Oh, I'd like to join them
The singer would like to rest with the tadpoles.
Wonder if there is room
The singer wonders if there is space to rest.
For a tired and sweaty old cowboy
The singer is a ranch hand who is exhausted and perspiring.
Tadpoles make some room
The singer is asking the tadpoles to move over and make space for him to rest.
Oh, my burden's heavy
The singer is carrying a significant weight.
I carry such a mighty load
The burden is sizeable.
Up above soars an eagle
An eagle is flying overhead.
I wonder if he knows
The singer is curious if the eagle understands his struggles.
What I'd give to trade with him
The singer wishes he could trade places with the eagle.
Go where he goes
The singer wants to experience what the eagle sees.
I wonder if that old eagle knows
The singer is still wondering if the eagle understands his pain.
What I'd give to know the heights he knows
The singer wants to experience the view from the eagle's height.
Eagle make some room
The singer is asking the eagle to make room for him to fly with him.
Some day will come a blue norther
A cold front will come through in the future.
Big wind and lots of rain
The cold front will bring significant winds and precipitation.
I'd love to be like a grand blue norther
The singer wishes he could be as powerful and forceful as the cold front.
Blow away all my pain
The singer hopes that he can be as refreshing and relieving as the cold front.
I'd let it all out in one mighty big breath
The singer would like to be able to release all of his troubles at once.
Dump my tears on the plains
The singer would like to cry and let his emotions out.
For a tired and sweaty old cowboy
The singer is still tired and perspiring.
Norther make some room
The singer is asking the cold front to make space for him to release his pain.
Contributed by Madison D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.