Her songwriting has been praised for its wit, and her technical guitar playing has also received praise (which she made light fun of in her feminist song, Not Bad for a Broad).
In 1990, she joined Christine Lavin, Megan McDonough, and Sally Fingerett to form the Four Bitchin' Babes, with whom she toured and recorded one album.
In 2005, Larkin produced La Guitara, a compilation of songs performed by female guitarists designed to answer the question, "Why are there no great female guitar players?" with the answer being that "There are–and here they are."
Burnin Down
Patty Larkin Lyrics
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Get the truck in the backyard and back it up
It's burnin' down
Pile it up now if something falls we'll never mind
It's burnin' down
Run along the river, get your brother and your sister
Hurry up now and don't stop for nothing, mister
Burnin' down
Dear mother, it's moving below the ridge
Dear father, it's coming across the bridge
It's burnin' down
Dust to dust and ashes to ashes
Hear the road, feel the heat that's what fast is
It's burnin' down
Tires scream, children quiet and wild eyed
Can't get far enough away from the mountain side
It's burnin' down
Dear mother, it's moving below the ridge
Dear father, it's coming across the bridge
It's burnin' down, burnin' down
The lyrics of Patty Larkin's song "Burnin Down" depict a scene of urgency and chaos as a fire engulfs everything in its path. The first verse sets the tone for the song, as the singer instructs someone to gather their belongings and flee, packing up the baby and the bath water. The urgency is emphasized by the need to back up the truck in the backyard and tie off the items with a clothesline, suggesting a hasty and desperate attempt to salvage what they can before the fire consumes everything. As they pile up the belongings, the is a sense of detachment as they declare that if something falls, they won't mind because the focus is on escaping the fire.
The second verse intensifies the urgency as the singer implores others to run along the river and gather their siblings, not stopping for anything. The repetition of "burnin' down" in the chorus emphasizes the destructive power of the fire and the sense of impending disaster.
The third verse adds a poignant touch by addressing the singer's parents directly. The words "Dear mother, it's moving below the ridge / Dear father, it's coming across the bridge" suggest that the fire is spreading rapidly and approaching their home. The line "Dust to dust and ashes to ashes" references the inevitability of death and the destruction that accompanies it.
Overall, "Burnin Down" uses vivid imagery and a sense of urgency to depict a scene of chaos and destruction caused by a fire, capturing the emotions and desperation of those caught in its path.
Line by Line Meaning
Get the baby and the bath water pack it up
Gather your most precious belongings and leave immediately
Get the truck in the backyard and back it up
Prepare the getaway vehicle in the backyard and position it for a quick escape
It's burnin' down
The situation is rapidly deteriorating and in imminent danger
Tie it off with a little piece of clothes line
Secure the belongings with a small rope or cord to prevent them from falling during the escape
Pile it up now if something falls we'll never mind
Quickly stack the belongings together, even if some items fall, they are not worth stopping and retrieving
Run along the river, get your brother and your sister
Hastily make your way along the river to gather your sibling and ensure their safety
Hurry up now and don't stop for nothing, mister
Proceed swiftly without any delays or hesitations, emphasizing the urgency of the situation
Dear mother, it's moving below the ridge
A message to the mother, informing her that the danger is approaching from below the ridge line
Dear father, it's coming across the bridge
A message to the father, warning him that the threat is approaching from the direction of the bridge
Dust to dust and ashes to ashes
Acknowledging the inevitable destruction and loss
Hear the road, feel the heat that's what fast is
The urgency of the situation can be felt through the sound of the road and the intensifying heat
Tires scream, children quiet and wild eyed
The sound of screeching tires contrasts with the silent and wide-eyed fear of the children
Can't get far enough away from the mountain side
The fear and urgency stem from the inability to create enough distance from the mountain side, which poses a great danger
It's burnin' down
The situation is rapidly deteriorating and in imminent danger
Dear mother, it's moving below the ridge
A message to the mother, informing her that the danger is approaching from below the ridge line
Dear father, it's coming across the bridge
A message to the father, warning him that the threat is approaching from the direction of the bridge
It's burnin' down, burnin' down
The situation is rapidly deteriorating and in immediate peril, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the ongoing disaster
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Patty Larkin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind