Rockin' Chair
Peggy Lee Four of a Kind Lyrics
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Fetch me that gin, son, 'fore I tan your hide
Can't get from this cabin, goin' nowhere
Just set me here grabbin' at the flies round this rockin' chair
My dear old aunt Harriet, in Heaven she be
Send me sweet chariot, for the end of the trouble I see
Old rockin' chair gets it, Judgment Day is here
Old rockin' chair's got me, son, (Rocking chair got you, father)
My cane by my side, (Yes, your cane by your side)
Now fetch me a little gin, son (Ain't got no gin, father)
What? 'fore I tan your hide, now, (You're gonna tan my hide)
You know, I can't get from this old cabin (What cabin? joking)
I ain't goin' nowhere (Why ain't you goin' nowhere?)
Just sittin' me here grabbin' (Grabbin')
At the flies round this old rockin' chair (Rockin' chair)
Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet, (Aunt Harriet)
How long in Heaven she be? (She's up in Heaven)
Send me down, send me down sweet (Sweet chariot) chariot
End of this trouble I see (I see, Daddy)
Old rockin' chair gets it, son (Rocking chair get it, father)
Judgement Day is here, too (Your Judgment Day is here)
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair
The lyrics of Peggy Lee's "Rockin' Chair" depict a person's old age and the feeling of being trapped and unable to move on from their current situation. The singer sings about being stuck in their cabin, unable to leave his chair, and relying on gin as their only solace. The phrase "Old rockin' chair's got me" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the feeling of being trapped and unable to break free from their current state.
The mention of the singer's aunt Harriet implies that the singer may be nearing the end of their life. They long for the sweet chariot to take them away from their troubles and into the afterlife. The line "Chained to my rockin' chair" further emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and unable to move on.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rockin' Chair" evoke a mood of resignation and acceptance of one's situation, whether it be old age or simply feeling stuck in life. The repetition of the phrase "Old rockin' chair's got me" shows a sense of surrender to their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Old rockin' chair's got me, son,
Father is feeling trapped by his old rocking chair,
My cane by my side,
His cane is next to him,
Now fetch me a little gin, son
Father asks son to bring him gin,
What? 'fore I tan your hide, now,
Father threatens to punish son if he doesn't bring him gin.
You know, I can't get from this old cabin
Father feels that he's stuck in the cabin.
I ain't goin' nowhere
He doesn't plan on going anywhere.
Just sittin' me here grabbin'
He's sitting around and swatting at flies.
At the flies round this old rockin' chair
There are lots of flies around his chair.
Now you remember dear old aunt Harriet,
Father reminds son about his aunt Harriet.
How long in Heaven she be?
He wonders how long she has been in Heaven.
Send me down, send me down sweet
Father prays for a sweet chariot to take him to Heaven.
(Sweet chariot) chariot
This is the name of the vehicle Father hopes to be sent down on.
End of this trouble I see
He thinks that this will be an end to his pain.
Old rockin' chair gets it, son
Father is going to die.
(Rocking chair get it, father)
He will die in his rocking chair.
Judgement Day is here, too
He feels that he's being judged.
Chained to my rockin', old rockin' chair
He feels stuck to his chair and unable to leave it.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBBIE ROBERTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind