Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Workin' It Out
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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To rest my head when the nights get colder.
But the days are getting longer and I'm getting older.
Been a long time working it out.
[Chorus]
I've been a long time workin' it out
I've been a long time workin' it out
I've been a long time workin' it out
Now I got a little woman scrub my floor.
Right down the road I got me two or three more.
None of 'em knows about the one next door.
I been a long time working that out!
[Chorus]
Well, it was late one night when I stole a little money.
Bought a couple o' things and then I give them to my honey.
The Judge said, "Boy, if you think that's funny,
You got a long time workin' this out!"
[Chorus]
Yeah , well I look all around me and what do I see?
The whole wide world got trouble like me.
Between the taxes, the missus and the deep blue sea,
We'll be a long time working it out.
[Chorus]
In Shel Silverstein's song "Workin' It Out," the singer reflects on their life journey and the challenges they have faced. The opening lines convey a sense of longing for comfort and companionship, as the singer has been searching for someone to lean on during tough times, especially when the nights feel colder. Despite this quest for solace, the days seem to be dragging on, and the singer is becoming more aware of their own aging process. This constant struggle to find stability and peace in their life is emphasized through the repetition of the phrase "Been a long time working it out" in the chorus.
The second verse delves into the singer's relationships, particularly with the women in their life. The imagery of a woman scrubbing the floor and the mention of multiple others who are unaware of each other suggests a complex and possibly deceitful situation. The singer seems to be entangled in a web of secrets and conflicts, trying to navigate these relationships without fully resolving the underlying issues. This verse further underscores the theme of working through personal struggles and dilemmas.
As the song progresses, the singer confesses to an act of theft and recklessness out of love for their partner. This illegal behavior leads to a confrontation with the law, as the judge admonishes them for their actions. The notion of facing consequences and taking responsibility for one's mistakes is highlighted here, reinforcing the idea that resolving conflicts and challenges requires time and effort. The line "You got a long time workin' this out!" serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of impulsive decisions.
The final verse broadens the scope to reflect on the universal nature of struggles and hardships. The singer observes the world around them and sees a multitude of problems and obstacles faced by others. From financial burdens (taxes) to relationship difficulties (the missus) to the vast unknown (the deep blue sea), the challenges in life are multifaceted and pervasive. The repetition of the chorus at the end reinforces the enduring nature of trying to overcome these hurdles, suggesting that the process of "working it out" is a continuous and ongoing journey for everyone. The song encapsulates the complexities of life's challenges and the resilience required to navigate through them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I been spending my life lookin' for a shoulder
I've been searching for someone to lean on in times of need.
To rest my head when the nights get colder.
To find comfort and solace during difficult times.
But the days are getting longer and I'm getting older.
Time is passing by and I'm aging while still trying to figure things out.
Been a long time working it out.
It's been a struggle to find solutions to my problems over the years.
Now I got a little woman scrub my floor.
I have a partner who takes care of household chores.
Right down the road I got me two or three more.
I may have other partners nearby who I'm involved with.
None of 'em knows about the one next door.
Each of my partners is unaware of the others.
I been a long time working that out!
I've been trying to navigate my complicated relationships for a while.
Well, it was late one night when I stole a little money.
I made a reckless decision to steal some cash one evening.
Bought a couple o' things and then I give them to my honey.
I used the stolen money to buy gifts for my partner.
The Judge said, 'Boy, if you think that's funny,
The legal consequences made it clear that my actions were not amusing.
You got a long time workin' this out!'
I'll have to deal with the repercussions of my choices for a while.
Yeah , well I look all around me and what do I see?
When I observe my surroundings, I notice everyone faces their own challenges.
The whole wide world got trouble like me.
The entire world struggles with problems similar to mine.
Between the taxes, the missus and the deep blue sea,
Dealing with financial responsibilities, my partner, and difficult situations can be overwhelming.
We'll be a long time working it out.
It will take a considerable amount of time to resolve all these issues.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN, WALTER RAIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind