Lyrics
Yes, I went down to the river on a Saturday morn
Describes the narrator going to the river on a Saturday morning.
I was lookin' around just to see who's born
The narrator is observing his surroundings to see who has been born.
I spied a little chicken down on his knees
The narrator notices a person (referred to as a chicken) on their knees.
I went up and yelled to him
The narrator approaches the person and shouts for attention.
"Please, please, please!"
The narrator pleads with the person, saying "Please, please, please!"
He said, "Don't ya tell Henry
The person on their knees advises the narrator not to tell Henry and mentions Apple having control over the situation.
Don't ya tell Henry
-Don't ya tell Henry
-Apple's got your fly"
-Yes, I went down to the beanery at half past twelve
The narrator visits a beanery (eating establishment) around noon.
I was lookin' around just to see myself
The narrator is self-reflective while looking around.
I looked down low, I looked above
The narrator sees someone they love.
Well who did I see but the one I love
-She said, "Don't ya tell Henry
The loved one warns the narrator not to tell Henry, emphasizing Apple's influence.
Don't ya tell Henry
-Don't ya tell Henry
-Apple's got your fly"
-Yeah, I went down to the whorehouse the other night
The narrator goes to a whorehouse at night.
I was lookin' around, I was outta sight
The narrator is discreet, staying out of sight.
I looked at a horse and I saw a mule
The narrator observes various animals.
I looked for a cow and I saw me a few
-They said, "Don't ya tell Henry
A warning similar to earlier encounters not to tell Henry, with Apple being in control.
Don't ya tell Henry
-Don't ya tell Henry
-Apple's got your fly"
-Yeah, I went down to the river on a Saturday morn
Repetition of the narrator going to the river on a Saturday morning.
A-lookin' around just to see who was born
The narrator is again checking who was born.
I saw a little chicken down on his knees
Similar encounter with the chicken on his knees, with the narrator pleading again.
I went up and yelled to him
-"Please, please, please!"
-He said, "Don't ya tell Henry
Reiteration of the advice not to tell Henry, emphasizing Apple's involvement.
Don't ya tell Henry
-Don't ya tell Henry
-Apple's got your fly"
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