When I've Got A Dollar
Mick Flannery Lyrics


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He is such a loser
He is such a fool for
Playing cards with such men
He don't know his luck's end

But why would I be bothered
Why would I be bothered
When I've got a dollar
When I've got a dollar

And things are well now
Oh
How there's always the sign
That something's hiding
Where you don't want to look
You're afraid of your mind

I am such a dreamer
I am such a fool for
Sending my affections
In all the wrong directions

Why would I be bothered
Why would I be bothered
When I've got a dollar
When I've got a dollar

Things are well now
Oh
How there's always the sign
That something's hiding




Where you don't want to look
You're afraid of your mind

Overall Meaning

The song "When I've Got a Dollar" by Mick Flannery is a melancholic reflection on the futility of many of life’s pursuits. The opening lines describe a character who is foolish enough to gamble with unsavory men, unaware of the danger he is putting himself in. However, the singer of the song seems indifferent to this man's misfortune, as he sees himself as having something much more valuable than the material possessions that many people covet. He has a dollar in his pocket and seems content with that.


The chorus of the song contains the lines "Why would I be bothered when I've got a dollar?" which serves as a reminder that sometimes the things that we think are important are not as significant as we make them out to be. The second verse talks about the pitfalls of being a dreamer, sending out one's affections in all the wrong directions. The singer seems to imply that he has made this mistake before.


The last lines of the chorus reveal the central message of the song: "Things are well now, oh how there's always a sign that something's hiding where you don't want to look, you're afraid of your mind." The lines suggest that even when things seem to be going well, there is always something lurking beneath the surface that can cause us unease. The singer seems to suggest that by focusing on the simple things in life, like having a dollar in his pocket, he is able to avoid these pitfalls.


Overall the song "When I've Got a Dollar" is a poignant reflection on the things that we value in life, and how sometimes the most important things are the ones that we take for granted.


Line by Line Meaning

He is such a loser
The person being referred to is unsuccessful and lacks confidence


He is such a fool for
He is a fool for engaging himself in activities that he cannot win


Playing cards with such men
Participating in risky games with dangerous people


He don't know his luck's end
He is unaware that his good luck will soon run out


But why would I be bothered
The singer is not concerned about other people's problems


When I've got a dollar
Because the singer has some money, he does not need to worry about the problems of others or his own


And things are well now
The singer's life is going well for the time being


Oh
This is an exclamation showing an emotion or feeling


How there's always the sign
There is always an indication that something is not right


That something's hiding
There is something hidden that may bring problems in the future


Where you don't want to look
The hiding place is somewhere undesirable


You're afraid of your mind
The person is fearful of what their own thoughts are telling them


I am such a dreamer
The singer is a person who dreams a lot


I am such a fool for
The singer is a foolish person for behaving in a manner that is not rational


Sending my affections
The singer sends his love in the wrong direction


In all the wrong directions
The singer falls in love with the wrong type of people


Things are well now
The singer's life is going well for the time being


How there's always the sign
There is always an indication that something is not right


That something's hiding
There is something hidden that may bring problems in the future


Where you don't want to look
The hiding place is somewhere undesirable


You're afraid of your mind
The person is fearful of what their own thoughts are telling them




Writer(s): Michael Flannery

Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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