Maggie's Farm
Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
Well, I wake up in the morning, fold my hands and pray for rain
With a head full of ideas drivin' me insane
It's a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor
Now I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more
He hands you a nickel, and he hands you a dime
Asks you with a grin if you're havin' a good time
Then he fines you every time you slam the door
Said, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
He puts out his cigar in your face for kicks
Well, his bedroom windows are made out of bricks
The National Guard stands around his door
Said, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more
She talks to all the servants about man and God and law
Everybody tells me she's the brains behind pa
Sixty-eight, but says she's twenty-four
But I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
Well, I try my best to be like I am
Everybody wants you to be like them
They say sing while you slave, I get bored
Said, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
The lyrics to Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers's song "Maggie's Farm" are a commentary on the dehumanizing nature of work, particularly in the context of the oppressive structures of power that exist within the workplace. The singer of the song declares that he will no longer work on Maggie's farm, a metaphor for any job that takes away one's autonomy and individuality. He expresses frustration with the way that Maggie makes him scrub the floor and the way that her brother fines him for trivial things. He also speaks out against Maggie's pa, who uses his power and wealth to mistreat those who work for him, and Maggie's ma, who seems to participate in and enable this oppressive behavior. Ultimately, the singer rejects the idea that he should conform to the expectations of society and "sing while you slave," preferring instead to resist the forces that seek to control him and maintain the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
Refusal to work for Maggie's farm due to mistreatment
Well, I wake up in the morning, fold my hands and pray for rain
Yearning for a change in life and the hopelessness of current situation
With a head full of ideas drivin' me insane
Being overwhelmed with new ideas and not being able to act on them
It's a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor
Expressing discontent with the way Maggie treats employees
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more
Refusal to work for Maggie's brother due to him being cheap and controlling
He hands you a nickel, and he hands you a dime
A miserly attitude towards paying employees fairly
Asks you with a grin if you're havin' a good time
Being condescending towards employees and taking joy in their suffering
Then he fines you every time you slam the door
Punishing employees for minor infractions
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
Refusal to work for Maggie's father due to his abusive behavior
He puts out his cigar in your face for kicks
Maggie's father enjoys inflicting physical pain on his employees for fun
Well, his bedroom windows are made out of bricks
Displaying wealth and superiority over others
The National Guard stands around his door
Implying that Maggie's father is a powerful figure and hard to confront
Said, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
Making a firm decision to not work for Maggie's father anymore
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more
Refusal to work for Maggie's mother due to her manipulative nature
She talks to all the servants about man and God and law
Maggie's mother tries to exert control over employees through religious and moral arguments
Everybody tells me she's the brains behind pa
Maggie's mother is the one who runs the family business and controls her husband's actions
Sixty-eight, but says she's twenty-four
Maggie's mother tries to appear younger and more attractive than she really is
But I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more
Remains firm in the decision to not work at Maggie's farm
Well, I try my best to be like I am
Striving for authenticity and individuality
Everybody wants you to be like them
Feeling societal pressure to conform to a certain standard
They say sing while you slave, I get bored
Critiquing the idea of finding joy in menial labor
Said, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more
Repeating the refusal to work for Maggie's farm and asserting independence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind