Sailin' Shoes
Sam Bush Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lady in a turban, cocaine tree
Does a dance so rhythmically
She's cryin', and a singin' and having a time
and gee that cocaine tree look fine

You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
Put on your sailing shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes

Jedidiah, he's got a dime
Says he catch a more fish, every time
Well I've got a line, and you've got a pole
And I'll meet you at the fishin' hole

You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
Put on your sailing shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes

Doctor, doctor, I feel so bad
This is the worst day, I ever had
Have you this misery a very long time?
Well if you if, I'll lay it on the line

You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
Put on your sailing shoes




Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes

Overall Meaning

The song "Sailin' Shoes" by Sam Bush seems to be a story about a woman who is crying, singing, and dancing under a "cocaine tree," which serves as a metaphor for the hedonistic and addictive nature of life. The lady in a turban embodies the exotic and alluring aspects of the world that draw people in but can be destructive if not handled carefully. The sense of despair and joy is captured in the lyrics that describe the woman's behavior, leaving the listener to question whether the good times are worth the potential dangers.


The song goes on to describe other characters and situations, like Jedidiah who boasts about his fishing skills, and a person who consults a doctor about their misery. However, the overarching theme seems to be the need to put on "sailin' shoes," which may represent a sense of freedom or desire to escape from one's problems. As the chorus repeats, the message becomes clear that when one puts on their "sailin' shoes," everyone will start to cheer. Ultimately, the song is about the human experience of seeking pleasure, companionship, and relief from suffering.


Line by Line Meaning

Lady in a turban, cocaine tree
A woman with a scarf wrapped around her head is dancing next to a coca plant


Does a dance so rhythmically
The woman is moving to the beat of the music


She's cryin', and a singin' and having a time
The woman is emoting while enjoying herself


and gee that cocaine tree look fine
The coca plant looks very appealing to her


You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
You need to prepare yourself for action


Put on your sailing shoes
Get ready to move quickly


Everyone will start to cheer
Others will be excited to see what you'll do


When you put on your sailin' shoes
When you're ready to take on the challenge


Jedidiah, he's got a dime
A man named Jedidiah has some money


Says he catch a more fish, every time
Jedidiah boasts about his fishing abilities


Well I've got a line, and you've got a pole
I have fishing gear, and you have fishing gear


And I'll meet you at the fishin' hole
Let's go fishing together


Doctor, doctor, I feel so bad
Someone is expressing discomfort to a physician


This is the worst day, I ever had
They're having a particularly bad day


Have you this misery a very long time?
The doctor is inquiring about the duration of the illness


Well, if you if, I'll lay it on the line
If you tell me everything, I'll be honest with you




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LOWELL GEORGE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@TheRealForrestGeorge

Lady in a turban, cocaine tree
Does a dance so rhythmically
She's cryin', and a singin' and having a time
and gee that cocaine tree look fine
You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
Put on your sailing shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes
Jedidiah, he's got a dime
Says he catch a more fish, every time
Well I've got a line, and you've got a pole
And I'll meet you at the fishin' hole
You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
Put on your sailing shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes
Doctor, doctor, I feel so bad
This is the worst day, I ever had
Have you this misery a very long time?
Well if you if, I'll lay it on the line
You've got to put on your sailin' shoes
Put on your sailing shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin' shoes

>

I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy
"Save me if you please"

I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me
Everybody passed me by

I'm going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
I'm going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby
On the riverside

You can run, you can run
Tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
Tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads
Believe I'm sinking down



All comments from YouTube:

@Smilindog50

Had the good fortune to see Sam Bush as a special guest of Little Feat at their Feat Fan Excursion in Negril Jamaica, 2006. What a treat! Saw him last summer; he's gotten better!

@mayoblues

You may never witness a more incredible impromptu performance by any artist in any genre of music.

@vibratingstring

This song makes me smile for obvious reasons. Sam is the best. Just a great performer. And a stand-up person too.

@tonygallo1104

Sam is the kind of musician i wish there were more of!!! Reg guy no nonsense. Just a nice talented dude!

@gregerfulgerman7802

he does standup??

@notthebannerboys

This is one of my favorite things ever. Thanks.

@aries749

Sam Bush, always kills it!

@hippo1948

Way to go Sam, your ability to use the mandolin to acompany your singing opens a whole new arena for the rest of us. Keep pickin and singin!!!

@davidkeator6737

I WAS SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THIS!! MY ALL TIME FAVORITE COVER OF LITTLE FEAT. I FIRST HARD IT AT THE LONESOME PINE SPECIAL IN LOUISVILLE WITH THE NGR. YOU AND JOHN DID A DUET OF IT. BOTH MY SON, WHO IS ALSO AN AVID FAN, THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PERFORMANCE. SINCE THAT TIME, THANKS TO PHIL WAKEMAN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HANG WITH YOU AND PLAY SOFTBALL,MUSIC AND ALL THE OTHER GREAT THINGS WE INDULDGED IN. ROCK ON THIS IS AWESOME!!! DAVID KEATOR

@nekoladavid

I grew up listening to this mandolin. I can never get enough!

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