Air Algiers
Escape to Freedom: Country Joe McDonald's Journey in Air Algiers
Lyrics
I hopped on a plane
I took a flight
Oakland New York
From Oakland to New York
Oakland New York
Repetition for emphasis
New York to Marseilles.
Continued the journey to Marseilles, France
Yes, I hopped on a plane
Reiteration of taking a flight
Oakland, New York to Marseilles
Emphasis on the route to Marseilles
Pigs on my trail,
Feeling pursued by law enforcement
Hey, I got to make my getaway.
Expressing the urgency to escape
Ah, when the man holler
Referring to authority or law enforcement
You sure got to jump boy
When confronted, one must escape quickly
You sure got to jump hey
Repetition for emphasis on the need to flee
You got to jump bail
Escaping legal consequences, possibly related to a crime
When the man hollers now
Reiteration of the urgency to escape
Sure got to jump bail
Fleeing from legal responsibilities
First fair trial, hey,
Desire for a fair trial before imprisonment
And then they put you back in jail.
After a fair trial, returning to jail
Ah come on now!
Encouragement or call to action
Oh yeah!
Expression of enthusiasm or agreement
Alright!
Positive affirmation
Hey now I can remember
Recalling seeing one's image on a wanted poster
A-seein' my picture
Continued reflection on the wanted poster
A-seein' my picture
Repetition for emphasis on the wanted poster
On the post-office wall.
Being a fugitive wanted by authorities
Yeah, I can remember my picture
Recollection of the wanted poster
On the post-office wall.
Reiteration of the image on the wanted poster
I can remember the day
Recalling the day when the FBI contacted
That the F.B.I. called.
Specifically mentioning the FBI's involvement
I got to make my connection,
Emphasis on the need to escape and continue the journey
I got a one-way ticket
Having a one-way ticket
I got a one-way ticket
Repetition for emphasis on the one-way ticket
I'm flyin' Air Algiers.
Flying with Air Algiers
I got to make my connection
Reiteration of the need to continue the journey
A one-way on Air Algiers.
Emphasis on the one-way ticket with Air Algiers
I think I'll go to the Casbah
Considering going to the Casbah, a reference to escaping
Cool it for a couple a years.
Planning to stay low for a few years
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