Once Upon A Time
Nail Jimmy Lyrics


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buy brown besoms buy them when they're new
buy broom bessoms better never grew
once upon a time we had a lead to follow
well respected men used to show the way
folks would follow on 'cause they believed the promise
well respected men would never betray
now look around it's hard to see integrity
you ask for direction and they don't know
once upon a time the sun was shin’n brightly
but once upon a time was a long time ago
once upon a time we built a revolution
big steel wheel roll around the world
ten ships sailed and whaled and delivered
all the food necessary for the boys and girls
then one day came a man with a mission
to take away everything they know
once upon a time was a land for heroes
but once upon a time was a long time ago
once upon a time things were oh so simple
you did a day's work you got a day's pay
it didn't come to much but it kept a wife and children
burned in the lantern that’ld light the way
now all's left is the story of a memory
the real thing fades with a dying glow




once upon a time this was a land of plenty
but once upon a time was a long time ago

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nail Jimmy's song "Once Upon A Time" paint a picture of a bygone era, one in which life was simpler, people were more trustworthy, and hard work was rewarded with a fair wage. The first verse sets the tone for the song, suggesting that in the past, there were better options available when it came to purchasing brooms - "buy brown besoms buy them when they're new / buy broom bessoms better never grew." However, this sentiment quickly expands to encompass a much broader theme: the decline of moral fortitude amongst the general populace.


The lyrics indicate that in the past, there were leaders to look up to - "well respected men used to show the way / folks would follow on 'cause they believed the promise / well respected men would never betray." The singer is lamenting the fact that these sorts of individuals are harder to come by in the present day, and even when you ask for guidance, it seems like people don't have the answers anymore - "you ask for direction and they don't know." The chorus repeats the phrase "once upon a time" in order to convey the idea that the world being described here is a thing of the past, a distant memory.


The second verse focuses specifically on the loss of a strong sense of national identity. It references a time when "we built a revolution / big steel wheel roll around the world / ten ships sailed and whaled and delivered / all the food necessary for the boys and girls," and suggests that there was once a time when people were willing to work hard to support their country and contribute to its growth. However, this collective sense of purpose was disrupted by "one man with a mission / to take away everything they know," and now the "land for heroes" that existed before is little more than a faded memory. The final verse continues this melancholy reminiscence, referencing the idea that in the past, people knew their place in society and were content with a modest lifestyle - "once upon a time things were oh so simple / you did a day's work you got a day's pay / it didn't come to much but it kept a wife and children / burned in the lantern that’ld light the way." However, now all that is left is the "story of a memory," as the world has changed beyond recognition.


Line by Line Meaning

buy brown besoms buy them when they're new
Buy the brooms when they're brand new and still fresh, before they become worn and tattered.


buy broom bessoms better never grew
It's better to buy broom bristles when they're new, as opposed to when they're old and past their prime.


once upon a time we had a lead to follow
There was a clear leader for us to follow in the past.


well respected men used to show the way
In the past, there were respected leaders who would guide us.


folks would follow on 'cause they believed the promise
People used to trust these leaders and believe in their promises, and would therefore follow them.


well respected men would never betray
The trusted leaders would never betray or deceive their followers.


now look around it's hard to see integrity
Currently, it is difficult to find any trustworthy, honest people of character.


you ask for direction and they don't know
If you ask for guidance or direction from people, they don't have any answers or helpful advice to offer.


once upon a time the sun was shin’n brightly
There was a time when things were bright and hopeful.


but once upon a time was a long time ago
However, that time is far in the past and no longer the present reality.


once upon a time we built a revolution
In the past, we created a movement or uprising to bring about significant change.


big steel wheel roll around the world
Large machines and industries developed and expanded worldwide.


ten ships sailed and whaled and delivered
A fleet of ships carried supplies and food to those who needed it.


all the food necessary for the boys and girls
The food deliveries were vital to feeding children and ensuring their survival.


then one day came a man with a mission
However, at some point a person with a specific agenda emerged.


to take away everything they know
This person sought to remove or destroy all that people had worked hard to establish and attain.


once upon a time was a land for heroes
In the past, this was a place of honorable and heroic individuals.


but once upon a time was a long time ago
However, that time is in the distant past and the present time is very different.


once upon a time things were oh so simple
In the past, things were much easier and less complicated.


you did a day's work you got a day's pay
If you worked a full day, you would receive payment for that day's labor.


it didn't come to much but it kept a wife and children
Even though the payment wasn't substantial, it was enough to sustain a family.


burned in the lantern that’ld light the way
This money would be used to provide light to guide one's way in the world.


now all's left is the story of a memory
All that remains now is a distant memory of these simpler times.


the real thing fades with a dying glow
The actual reality of these past times becomes less and less clear over time.


once upon a time this was a land of plenty
At one point, there was an abundance of resources and opportunities in this place.


but once upon a time was a long time ago
However, those times are now far behind us and no longer the reality.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, LEIGH HARLINE, NED WASHINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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