Put Another Log On The Fire
Shel Silverstein Lyrics

The song "Put Another Log On The Fire" by Shel Silverstein is a satirical take on a traditional relationship where a man demands subservience and domesticity from his partner. The lyrics are dripping with sarcasm and take a jab at the ridiculous societal expectations that were often placed on women in the 1970s. The man's demands are framed as a joke, but the underlying issue of gender inequality is clearly present.

The song starts with the man telling his partner to put another log on the fire and cook him bacon and beans. He then proceeds to ask her to go change the tire on the car, wash his socks, and sew his old blue jeans. He demands that she fills his pipe and fetches his slippers while boiling him another pot of tea. The absurdity of his requests highlights the unequal power dynamic in their relationship, as the woman is expected to do all of the domestic work while the man sits back and relaxes.

The second verse continues in the same vein, with the man asking if he doesn't let her wash the car on Sundays and doesn't warn her when she's getting fat. He then guilts her by saying that he's going to take her fishing someday, as if that will make up for the fact that she's doing all of the work. He also claims to be nice to her kid sister and take her driving, but these are minor gestures that don't negate his overbearing and insulting behavior. He ends the verse by telling her to sit at his feet and be sweet, insinuating that any pushback from her would be unfeminine.

Overall, "Put Another Log On The Fire" is a clever commentary on gender roles and the expectations placed on women in romantic relationships. While the man's demands are presented as a joke, they are rooted in a very real issue that has persisted for centuries.