Prologue
Original London Cast (Sherman Sherman Stiles Drewe) Lyrics
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Second hand hose
All the girls hand me
Their second hand clothes
Even my pajamas when I darn 'em
Have somebody else's
Initials on 'em
Second hand rings
I never get what other girlies do
Once while strolling
Through the ritz a girl got my goat
She nudged her friend
And said oh look there goes
My old fur coat
I don't believe in
Frettin' and grievin'
Why mess around with strife
I never was caught out
To step and strut out
Give me the simple life
Some find a pleasant dining on pheasants
Those things roll off my comb
Just serve me tomatoes
And mashed potatoes
Any place I hang my hat is home
Oh, I got plenty o' nothin'
And nothin's plenty for me
I got no car, I got no mule
I got no misery
Don't you see
I got no lock on my door
That's okay with me
Cause the things that I prize
Like the stars in the skies are all free
I got plenty o' nothin'
And nothin's plenty for me
Once I built a railroad
Made it run,
Made it race
Against time
Once I built a railroad
Now it's done
Brother can you spare a dime?
Say don't you remember
They called me al
It was al all the time
Say don't you remember
I'm your pal
Buddy can you spare a dime?
Nobody knows you
When you're down and out
In your pocket's
Not one penny
And your friends
Well, you haven't any
Soon as you get on your feet again
Everybody
Everybody
Is your long lost friend
It's mighty strange
Without a doubt
But nobody knows you
When you're down and out
Oh every one knows
That I'm just second hand rose
From second avenue
Ya can't beat the egg-creams
From second avenue
There is more between me
And fifth avenue
Than three blocks
I tell ya
Second avenue
The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sun beam that shines
They're yours, they're mine
And love can come to anyone
Because the best things in life are free
The song Prologue from the Original London Cast’s album is a rendition that tells the tale of a person who lives a simple life with the bare minimum necessities. The lyrics of the song depict a character who finds joy in second-hand things, such as clothes, shoes, and other accessories. The character is happy with the simple things in life, and the lyrics suggest that they do not desire much more than what they already have.
The song describes a person who is comfortable with their lot in life and content with their station. They do not believe in worrying and don't let the things that often cause strife affect them. The character does not aspire to have fancy dining experiences like pheasant, but instead, they are satisfied with mashed potatoes and tomatoes. The song also suggests that the character values their freedom and independence and doesn't require possessions to be happy.
The lyrics of the song are simple yet profound. They remind us that happiness cannot always be found in material things and encourage us to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. The song also highlights the importance of valuing one's independence and freedom. It suggests that possessions do not always equate to happiness, and we should be content with what we have.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm wearing second hand shoes
I have no concern wearing used items
Second hand hose
I'm happy wearing old stockings
All the girls hand me
Other girls give me their
Their second hand clothes
old clothes to wear because they know my choice
Even my pajamas when I darn 'em
I have to fix my pyjamas with someone else's initials on them
Have somebody else's
I'm comfortable with someone else's
Initials on 'em
monogram on them
Second hand rings
second-rate rings
Mmm... second hand things
I don't have expensive choices for my needs
I never get what other girlies do
I never become materialistic like other girls
Once while strolling
One day while walking
Through the ritz a girl got my goat
At some fancy place, a girl annoyed me
She nudged her friend
The girl nudged her friend discreetly
And said oh look there goes
Pointing out at someone passing near us
My old fur coat
My previously owned fur coat
I don't believe in
I'm nonchalant about
Frettin' and grievin'
worrying and stressing
Why mess around with strife
What's the point of dealing with troubles?
I never was caught out
It has never hurt me
To step and strut out
On my way to show off
Give me the simple life
I just want a straightforward and unadorned life
Some find a pleasant dining on pheasants
Some people find happiness in luxury food items
Those things roll off my comb
Such things don't impress me much
Just serve me tomatoes
My simple meal requirements are basic
And mashed potatoes
I'm satisfied with potatoes in my diet
Any place I hang my hat is home
I can settle anywhere and feel at home
Oh, I got plenty o' nothin'
I don't have much but I'm content
And nothin's plenty for me
Not having a lot is good enough for me
I got no car, I got no mule
I don't have much transportation
I got no misery
But, at least, I don't have any pain or misfortune
Don't you see
Don't you realize
I got no lock on my door
I don't have much to protect
That's okay with me
I'm okay and content with that
Cause the things that I prize
The things I value
Like the stars in the skies are all free
Are things that come with no charge
Once I built a railroad
One time, I built a railway
Made it run,
I made it work smoothly
Made it race
I built it fast to race against others
Against time
In a limited time frame
Now it's done
It's finished now
Brother can you spare a dime?
Can you help out a bit financially?
Say don't you remember
Remember the time when
They called me al
I had a nickname - Al
It was al all the time
Everybody called me by that name
Say don't you remember
Remember the time when
I'm your pal
I'm your friend
Buddy can you spare a dime?
Can you, my friend, give me a little money?
Nobody knows you
It's amazing to realize
When you're down and out
that when one's poor
In your pocket's
With no money in your pocket
Not one penny
You have not even a penny
And your friends
People you know
Well, you haven't any
You won't have people who'll be around you
Soon as you get on your feet again
When you're well off financially again
Everybody everybody
You'll have everyone around as they suddenly become friends with you
Is your long lost friend
They will be your 'dearest' friend
It's mighty strange
It's really a strange feeling
Without a doubt
No denying
But nobody knows you
Still, nobody understands you
Oh every one knows
Everybody knows
That I'm just second hand rose
That I'm a person who cherishes second-hand items
From second avenue
Belonging to the second best locality
Ya can't beat the egg-creams
Egg-creams are the best and most affordable drink here
From second avenue
Again, the famous drink is only available here
There is more between me
People judge me easily
And fifth avenue
I'm not someone with a status of living in high-class areas
Than three blocks
I have to be assessed by the appropriate criteria
I tell ya
I must say
The flowers in spring
All the beautiful things about this season
The robins that sing
The lovely sound of birds chirping
The sun beam that shines
The radiant sun that enhances everything
They're yours, they're mine
Are owned by all of us
And love can come to anyone
Anyone can experience pure love
Because the best things in life are free
As the most beautiful things in life cannot be bought with money
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NIGEL ANDREW STAFF, DONOVAN BENNETT, WAYNE MCGREGOR, ADIDJA PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind