Little Wheel Spin And Spin
Sainte marie buffy Lyrics
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Merry Christmas Jingle Bells
Christ is born and the devil's in hell
hearts they shrink Pockets swell
Everybody know and nobody tell
Little Wheels Spin and Spin Big wheels turn around & around (4x)
cry the pious citizens
who petty thieve the 5 & 10s
and the big wheels turn around and around
Little Wheels Spin and Spin Big wheels turn around & around (4x)
Blame the angels, blame the fates,
Blame the Jews or your sister Kate
Teach your children how to hate
and the big wheels turn around and around
Little Wheels Spin and Spin Big wheels turn around & around (4x)
Turn your back on weeds you've hoed
silly sinful seeds you've sowed
Add your straw to the camel's load
Pray like hell when your world explode
Little Wheels Spin and Spin Big wheels turn around & around (4x)
Swing your girl fiddler say
Later on the piper pay
Do see do, swing and sway
Dead will dance on judgement day
Little Wheels Spin and Spin Big wheels turn around & around (4x)
"Little Wheel Spin and Spin" is a powerful anti-establishment folk song written by Buffy Sainte-Marie. The lyrics pit the injustices of society against the callousness of the powerful capitalist class. The first verse is a sarcastic reference to the hypocrisy of celebrating Christmas while ignoring the suffering that exists all around. The next verse lambasts corrupt politicians who steal from the poor, while the wealthy continue to profit. Buffy calls attention to blame-shifting and scapegoating as a form of widespread cultural denial that distracts from the unresolved social issues.
In the final verse, the song takes on a more personal note. Buffy uses the metaphor of sowing seeds to speak about people's personal responsibility for what they contribute to society. When things go wrong, the lyrics suggest that one should not try to run from the consequences of their actions. Instead, they should face them head-on and look for ways to make things right. The song ends on a strangely hopeful note - perhaps those who have been denied justice in life will find it after death.
Overall, "Little Wheel Spin and Spin" is a moving indictment of greed, corruption, and systemic injustice. Buffy Sainte-Marie uses her songwriting talents to shine a light on important social issues that are still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Wheels Spin and Spin Big wheels turn around & around
The cyclical nature of life is depicted through the imagery of spinning wheels, both small and large.
Merry Christmas Jingle Bells
The joy of the holiday season is in stark contrast to the darker themes explored in the rest of the song.
Christ is born and the devil's in hell
Even though good triumphs over evil with the birth of Christ, there is still darkness in the world.
hearts they shrink Pockets swell
Greed and materialism lead people to become emotionally bankrupt.
Everybody know and nobody tell
There are societal problems that are common knowledge but remain unacknowledged and unaddressed.
Oh the sins of Caesar's men
The corruption and wrongdoing of those in positions of power are called out and condemned.
cry the pious citizens
The righteous express their outrage and condemnation of the wrongs being committed.
who petty thieve the 5 & 10s
The perpetrators of these wrongs are small-time criminals, but they are still complicit in a larger corrupt system.
and the big wheels turn around and around
Despite some individuals being held accountable, the power structures that allow such wrongdoing to occur remain unchanged.
Blame the angels, blame the fates,
People look for external entities to hold responsible for their misfortune, rather than taking accountability.
Blame the Jews or your sister Kate
Scapegoating and blaming innocents is a common response to difficult situations.
Teach your children how to hate
Negative behavior patterns are perpetuated when they are passed down from generation to generation.
Turn your back on weeds you've hoed
Individuals try to distance themselves from their past actions that may now be perceived as negative or shameful.
silly sinful seeds you've sowed
Regret over past mistakes is a common experience.
Add your straw to the camel's load
Even small contributions can add up to create significant problems.
Pray like hell when your world explode
When faced with catastrophe, people often turn to religion for solace and guidance.
Swing your girl fiddler say
Enjoy the present moment and find joy in music and dancing.
Later on the piper pay
There will be consequences down the line for one's actions.
Do see do, swing and sway
Life is short, so enjoy it while you can.
Dead will dance on judgement day
Even in death, one may face accountability for how they lived their life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BUFFY SAINTE MARIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@emordilap
I could hear the refrain as a first peoples’ concept of the how the cosmos works, a promise of payback for centuries of suppression and worse.
Or I could hear it as a critique of the ways in which we allow to accrue
wealth, property, and power in the hands of a few.
Or I could hear it as a chant accompanied by gongs and rotating prayer wheels
in a high and inaccessible monastery covered deep in . . .
Oh, what the heck, I have loved her voice, angry and courageous, since the 60s. She is a treasure.
@franksabatino7576
Buffy's succinct, bitter poetry decries our complicity in the collapsing world. And the edge in her voice cuts too deeply to ever quite heal.
@markkubiak8296
Well said, my friend.
@pandap4ntz
This is my first time listening or even knowing about Buffy. I had "Big Yellow Taxi" stuck in my head, the Counting Crows version, and it did occur to me that I had never really listened to Joni Mitchell sing her own song, not all the way through, so I went on a little Joni Mitchell binge and ended up here. This is awesome!
@LittleLeoFace
This is so cool! I've watched the older version so many times and seeing this crisp version with a precious few extra seconds was really enjoyable. Thanks for taking the time to remaster this and share, I really appreciate it!
@Jimmcgurn
I love it that Buffy is still going strong and every bit as good or better than ever. Saw her recently.
@fineartist7710
Hypnotic is this song, as is Buffy and her endless artistic talent turning...round and around.
@KahlessTheUnforgettable
Her lies too! They ground and round! Also, why are you talking like Yoda?
@jarodcarnarvon5198
Just love these 60s folk tunes.......
@gottagowork
And the wheel just kept spinning and spinning. 2020, and it's spinning out of control.
@po3tictreachery672
Pete Seeger is sitting there gripping the chair like he's about to fall off a building....He's like "whoa, lady"