Wasting Time
Riverboat Gamblers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave the bassinet lying so the snakes on the ground,
They can come and find them?
Is there really a mongoose around here?
Immune to venom vites and serpent strikes and such.
Cause I don't mind if you stay away from me.
Being spurned is fine if it means that I can eat.
Drown em in, cause I had enough of them.
Well you've been force-fed and I know why.
Gotta shed shed shed shed shed shed you skin, for street clothes.
Gotta get real soft and smooth, till you skip the groove
And you get your milking. Can we get Riki Tiki Tavi here?
Lemme see if I get it right, then we sleep tonight on beds.
Cause I don't mind if you stay away from me.
Being spurned is fine if it means that I can eat.
Check this out: well I chew em' out and then spit em up again.
Drown em in, cause I had enough of them.
Well you've been force-fed and I know why.
You're wasting your time.
The lyrics of Riverboat Gamblers's song Wasting Time are difficult to interpret, as they are full of obscure metaphors and references. The song seems to be about someone who is fed up with their current situation and is ready to shed their old skin and start anew. They question whether the children really have no ears, perhaps a nod to those who refuse to listen to their message. They leave the bassinet lying so that snakes can come and find them, implying a willingness to face danger head-on. The mention of a mongoose aroung suggests the desire for protection against venomous creatures, taken metaphorically as those who wish to harm or take advantage of them.
The chorus of the song speaks to the main character's desire to be left alone, being spurned is fine if it means that they can eat. They chew others out and spit them up again, possibly a metaphor for rejecting people or ideas that they have previously consumed or accepted. The line, "you're wasting your time" may either be directed at others or the singer themselves, as they are ready to move forward and break free from their old routines.
Overall, the song seems to be about the need for change and the willingness to take risks to achieve it. The metaphors used throughout the song leave room for interpretation, which allows the listener to connect with the message in a personal way.
Line by Line Meaning
No kidding? Do the children really have no ears?
Are you serious? Are people really ignoring the obvious?
Leave the bassinet lying so the snakes on the ground, They can come and find them?
Abandon the helpless and vulnerable, allowing the dangers of the world to consume them.
Is there really a mongoose around here?
Is there anyone or anything that can protect us from the dangers lurking around us?
Immune to venom vites and serpent strikes and such.
Capable of withstanding any threats thrown at us.
Cause I don't mind if you stay away from me.
I am indifferent to your presence or absence.
Being spurned is fine if it means that I can eat.
Rejection is acceptable if it leads to self-gratification.
Check this out: well I chew em' out and then spit em up again.
I consume and discard people like objects.
Drown em in, cause I had enough of them.
I am overwhelmed by the people in my life and want to be rid of them.
Well you've been force-fed and I know why.
You have been manipulated and controlled to serve someone else's purposes.
Gotta shed shed shed shed shed shed you skin, for street clothes.
We must change and adapt to our surroundings in order to survive.
Gotta get real soft and smooth, till you skip the groove, And you get your milking.
We must become compliant and obedient to receive the benefits of our environment.
Can we get Riki Tiki Tavi here?
Can we find a hero or savior to protect us from danger?
Lemme see if I get it right, then we sleep tonight on beds.
If we can find safety and security, we can rest peacefully.
You're wasting your time.
Your efforts and attention are being used inefficiently and ineffectively.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind