It'll Shine When It Shines
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics


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The ol' cat on the roof
He could stand a little push
'Cause he's got nine good lives to live

But like my Mama said
You only live 'til your dead
And you got to give and give and give
There's a pebble in the pond
Rollin' on and on
Makin' waves and tides and ripples and rain

There's a leaf in the wind
That don't know where to end
Chasin' days and ways and wishes and dreams

Seems like everyone is out lookin' for the sun
Singin' rain and pain on he who hesitates
But it'll shine when it shines
You might think I'm wastin' time
But I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait

Whippoorwill's in the dawn
Pretty soon he'll be gone
And he's got one good song to sing

But like my Daddy said
It's in your heart not your head
And you got to sing and sing and sing

There's a window in the wall
Lookin' out on it all
Leavin' fears and tears and troubles alone

There's a fire in the stove
Keepin' out the cold
Warmin' wine and winters and babies and homes

Seems like everyone is out lookin' for the sun
Singin' rain and pain on he who hesitates
But it'll shine when it shines
You might think I'm wastin' time




But I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait
Yes, I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait

Overall Meaning

"It'll Shine When It Shines" is a song that encourages the listener to have patience and faith in the natural cycle of life. The first verse uses the metaphor of a cat on a roof to suggest that sometimes it's okay to take risks and push yourself out of your comfort zone because life is full of opportunities for growth and renewal. However, the chorus suggests that in the end, everything will work out as it should, and there's no need to rush the process of living.


The second verse uses the metaphor of a pebble in a pond and a leaf in the wind to suggest that life is unpredictable and often goes in unexpected directions. The listener is encouraged to embrace all the twists and turns of life and to keep dreaming big dreams even when it's hard to see the way forward.


The final verse uses the image of a whippoorwill singing in the dawn to remind the listener that life is short and precious, and it's important to embrace every moment with courage and joy. Overall, the song encourages the listener to have patience, faith, and hope in the face of life's challenges and to cultivate a sense of gratitude and wonder for all the beauty and mystery of the world around us.


Line by Line Meaning

The ol' cat on the roof
There's a cat on the roof that could use a little push.


He could stand a little push
The cat on the roof needs some help to jump down.


'Cause he's got nine good lives to live
The cat has nine lives, and can take risks.


But like my Mama said
The singer's mother told him the following.


You only live 'til your dead
We only get one life to live.


And you got to give and give and give
We have to keep giving throughout life.


There's a pebble in the pond
A pebble thrown into water is causing ripples.


Rollin' on and on
The pebble continues to cause ripples.


Makin' waves and tides and ripples and rain
The pebble's impact is creating wave patterns, tides and rain.


There's a leaf in the wind
A leaf is blowing in the wind.


That don't know where to end
The leaf has no idea where it will land.


Chasin' days and ways and wishes and dreams
The leaf is carried by the wind, chasing after days, ways, wishes, and dreams.


Seems like everyone is out lookin' for the sun
Everyone is searching for happiness, like the sun.


Singin' rain and pain on he who hesitates
Those who hesitate face criticism and loss.


But it'll shine when it shines
Happiness will come in its own time.


You might think I'm wastin' time
Others may feel the singer is wasting time.


But I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait
The singer is patient and knows happiness will come eventually.


Whippoorwill's in the dawn
A Whippoorwill bird is singing in the morning.


Pretty soon he'll be gone
The bird will stop singing eventually.


And he's got one good song to sing
The bird has only one chance to sing.


But like my Daddy said
The singer's father had the following advice.


It's in your heart not your head
Don't overthink things, follow your heart.


And you got to sing and sing and sing
We have to keep singing our songs in life.


There's a window in the wall
A window is in the wall, looking outside.


Lookin' out on it all
The window affords a view of everything outside.


Leavin' fears and tears and troubles alone
Leave behind your fears, tears, and troubles.


There's a fire in the stove
There is a fire burning in the stove.


Keepin' out the cold
The fire is keeping the cold out.


Warmin' wine and winters and babies and homes
The fire is warming people, winter weather, babies, and homes.


Yes, I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait
Again, the singer stresses his patient nature.




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DILLON, STEVE CASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@scottpeters6160

I'm from Missouri these guys are one of the most underrated bands ever can't think of a bad song and I have been listening to them since 72

@johnallen869

Me too. My 3 favorite albums in 1973 were the OMD Quilt album, Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon and Aqualung by Jethro Tull. I still listen to them all.

@markwilliams5606

Ozarks Missouri Arkansas ๐ŸŒ„. I know where I was Back in 72. Adios.

@sully0001

I grew up listening to the Daredevils. Such an amazing band. My formative years, Missouri and Kansas

@wendylane4231

My dad died about two months ago. We played guitar and sang this song around every fire we ever built, which were very, very plentiful. Iโ€™ve just now had the courage to listen to it sitting by one of my own frequent campfires.

@johnallen869

Sorry for the loss of your dad Wendy:( I've been listening to the OMD since their "Quilt" album came out in 1973. I had a lot of great times listening to that album.

@CVF72

Condolences Wendy. I can feel your loss but this song will be a happy reminder of your Dad.

@rbusse

.
Beautiful words.

@randymack2972

check out White Sun by the Doobie Brothers Wendy . . . .and you will see him smile .

@johnstieglitz

Thank you, from every dad who sat around a fire

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