People
The Winter Gypsy Lyrics


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Momma Rose
Anybody that stays home is dead
If I die it won't be from sitting

It will be from fighting to get up and get out!
Some people can get a thrill
knitting sweaters and sitting still.
That's okay for some people
who don't know they're alive.

Some people can thrive and bloom
living life in the living room.
That's perfect for some people
of one hundred and five.

But I at least gotta try
when I think of all the sights that I gotta see
and all the places I gotta play,
all the things that I gotta be at.
Come on, papa, what do you say?

Some people can be content
playing bingo and paying rent.
That's peachy for some people,
for some hum-drum people to be,
but some people ain't me!

I had a dream,
a wonderful dream, papa,
all about June in the Orpheum circuit.
Gimme a chance and I know I can work it.

I had a dream.
Just as real as can be, papa.
There I was in Mr. Orpheum's office
and he was saying to me, "Rose,
get yourselves some new orchestrations,
new routines and red velvet curtains.
Get a feathered hat for the baby;
photographs in front of the theatre.
Get an agent and in jig time
you'll be being booked in the big time."

Oh, what a dream.
A wonderful dream, papa.
And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, papa.
That's what he said, papa.
Only eighty-eight bucks.

Papa
You ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents from me, Rose.

Rose
Well, I'll get it someplace else! But I'll get it! And get my kids out!

Goodbye to blueberry pie.
Good riddance to all the socials I had to go to,
all the lodges I had to play,
all the shriners I said hello to.
Hey, L.A., I'm comin' your way!

Some people sit on their butts;
got the dream, yeah, but not the guts.
That's living for some people,
for some hum-drum people I suppose.




Well, they can stay and rot!
But not Rose!

Overall Meaning

The Winter Gypsy's song, "People" is a cover of the song of the same name from the Broadway musical 'Gypsy: A Musical Fable'. The lyrics talk about the desire to not settle for a mundane life but to see the world and pursue one's dreams. Momma Rose, the singer in the original musical, encourages her father to support her dreams of becoming a performer and to give her the chance to make it big. She believes that staying in one place and not pursuing one's passions is akin to death. For Rose, the cost of pursuing her dreams is worth it, and she would rather fight to get out and make something of herself than to sit still and watch life pass her by.


The song touches upon the idea that not everyone is content with a simple life and routine. Some people need to explore the world, take risks and push themselves to see what they're capable of. The lyrics describe the feeling of being trapped and wanting to break free from the monotony of life, to seek adventure, and to go after what one wants. Ultimately, 'People' is an anthem for those who refuse to settle for less and feel restless until they pursue their dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

Momma Rose
Introducing the character speaking


Anybody that stays home is dead
It's important to go out and live life to the fullest, because otherwise you're not really living at all


If I die it won't be from sitting
I refuse to let myself be content with sitting around all day and never taking any chances or risks to live my dreams


It will be from fighting to get up and get out!
I am willing to work hard and fight for what I want, rather than just sitting back and letting life pass me by


Some people can get a thrill
Some people find joy and fulfillment in activities that might not appeal to everyone


knitting sweaters and sitting still.
For some people, a simple and quiet life is enough to make them happy


That's okay for some people
There's nothing wrong with finding contentment in a quiet life


who don't know they're alive.
But for me, I need to be challenged and to push myself to truly feel alive


Some people can thrive and bloom
Some people can find happiness and success without ever leaving their comfort zone


living life in the living room.
For some people, home is where they feel most comfortable and safe


That's perfect for some people
There's nothing wrong with finding comfort and happiness in one's own home


of one hundred and five.
Some people are perfectly content to live out their entire lives in a small, confined space


But I at least gotta try
But for me, I need to take risks and try new things to truly feel fulfilled


when I think of all the sights that I gotta see
I am driven to explore the world and experience all that it has to offer


and all the places I gotta play,
I have dreams and aspirations that require me to leave my comfort zone and take risks


all the things that I gotta be at.
I want to experience a variety of things and not limit myself to just one type of experience


Come on, papa, what do you say?
I am asking for support and encouragement from those around me to help me achieve my goals


Some people can be content
Some people are perfectly happy with a simple and unexciting life


playing bingo and paying rent.
For some people, the simple pleasures in life are all they need to feel content and fulfilled


That's peachy for some people,
There is nothing wrong with finding contentment in a peaceful, stable life


for some hum-drum people to be,
But for me, that kind of life would be boring and unfulfilling


but some people ain't me!
I am different from those people and need more excitement and stimulation


I had a dream,
I have a specific vision and goal that I hope to attain


a wonderful dream, papa,
My dream is exciting, inspiring, and full of potential


all about June in the Orpheum circuit.
My dream involves performing in a specific venue or circuit, which represents my ideal career path


Gimme a chance and I know I can work it.
If given the opportunity, I know that I have what it takes to succeed in achieving my dream


Just as real as can be, papa.
My dream feels tangible and attainable to me


There I was in Mr. Orpheum's office
In my mind, I have already achieved a certain level of success


and he was saying to me, "Rose,
In my dream, I have already made a name for myself in the industry


get yourselves some new orchestrations,
I know that I need to evolve and change in order to continue to succeed


new routines and red velvet curtains.
I need to constantly innovate in order to stay fresh and exciting for my fans


Get a feathered hat for the baby;
Even small details like wardrobe are important to maintain my image and brand


photographs in front of the theatre.
I need to constantly promote myself and my work through various forms of media


Get an agent and in jig time
I need to work with professionals in order to truly succeed at my craft


you'll be being booked in the big time."
If I continue to work hard and improve, I can achieve success on a larger scale


Oh, what a dream.
My dream is exciting, fulfilling, and worth chasing


And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, papa.
I am willing to take risks and invest in my dream, no matter how small the chance of success may seem


That's what he said, papa.
In my dream, I have people who believe in me and my ability to succeed


You ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents from me, Rose.
In reality, my dream may require assistance or funding from others, which may not be forthcoming


Well, I'll get it someplace else!
I am determined to achieve my dream, no matter what obstacles stand in my way


But I'll get it!
I am confident in my ability to work hard and succeed, no matter what challenges I may face


And get my kids out!
I want to use my success to improve the lives of those around me and provide for my family


Goodbye to blueberry pie.
I am willing to give up certain comforts and pleasures in order to achieve my dream


Good riddance to all the socials I had to go to,
I am willing to make sacrifices in order to pursue my dream, even if it means giving up social events and gatherings


all the lodges I had to play,
I am willing to work hard and perform in a variety of venues and locations to achieve my goals


all the shriners I said hello to.
I am willing to network and connect with a range of people in order to advance my career


Hey, L.A., I'm comin' your way!
I am determined to make it big in my chosen industry and am moving to a location where I believe I can best achieve success


Some people sit on their butts;
Some people are happy to just let life pass them by and never take any risks or pursue their dreams


got the dream, yeah, but not the guts.
Some people may have dreams and aspirations, but lack the courage and drive to pursue them


That's living for some people,
For some people, simply existing and being comfortable is enough to be considered living


for some hum-drum people I suppose.
However, for me and others like me, sitting still and not taking risks is boring and unfulfilling


Well, they can stay and rot!
I refuse to be held back by those who lack the courage to pursue their dreams and take risks


But not Rose!
I am determined to live my life to the fullest, no matter what others may say or think




Contributed by Riley A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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