Alabama Song
Journey to Liberation: Exploring the Depths of Desires in Dave Van Ronk's 'Alabama Song'
Lyrics
Oh, show me the way to the next whiskey bar,
Show me the way to the next whiskey bar.
Oh, don't ask why, oh, don't ask why!
Don't ask why, just follow.
For we must find the next whiskey bar
We must find the next whiskey bar.
For if we don't find the whiskey bar
If we fail to find the whiskey bar,
I tell you we must die
Our survival is at stake.
I tell you we must die
Emphasizing the urgency of the quest.
I tell you
Repetition of the urgency and potential consequence.
I tell you
-I tell you we must die!
-Oh, moon of Alabama,
Mention of the moon of Alabama.
We now must say good-bye.
Farewell is necessary.
We've lost our good old mamma
The loss of a maternal figure is noted.
And must have whiskey, oh you know why!
Desire for whiskey as a coping mechanism.
Oh, moon of Alabama,
Repetition of the moon of Alabama, farewell, loss, and need for whiskey.
We now must say good-bye.
-We've lost our good old mamma
-And must have whiskey, oh you know why!
-Oh, show me the way to the next pretty boy,
Show me the way to the next pretty boy.
Oh, don't ask why, oh, don't ask why!
Don't question, follow willingly.
For we must find the next pretty boy,
We must find the next pretty boy.
For if we don't find the next pretty boy
Failing to find the pretty boy has dire consequences.
I tell you we must die
Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
I tell you we must die
Repetition of urgency and consequences.
I tell you
-I tell you
-I tell you we must die!
-Oh, moon of Alabama
Moon of Alabama mentioned again.
We now must say good-bye.
Parting is inevitable.
We've lost our good old mamma
Loss of a mother figure reiterated.
And must have boys, oh you know why!
Whiskey is sought for solace.
Oh, moon of Alabama
Repetition of moon, farewell, loss, and desire for whiskey.
We now must say good-bye.
-We've lost our good old mamma
-And must have boys, oh you know why!
-Oh, show me the way to the next little dollar,
Show me the way to the next little dollar.
Oh, don't ask why, oh, don't ask why!
Don't question, continue without hesitation.
For we must find the next little dollar,
We must find the next little dollar.
For if we don't find the next little dollar
Failing to find the dollar is perilous.
I tell you we must die
Underlining the severity of the situation.
I tell you we must die
Repetition of urgency and potential consequences.
I tell you
-I tell you
-I tell you we must die!
-Oh, moon of Alabama
Moon of Alabama reference again.
We now must say good-bye.
Farewell is imminent.
We've lost our good old mamma
Loss of a maternal figure restated.
And must have dollars, oh you know why!
Seeking dollars as a remedy.
Oh, moon of Alabama
Repetition of moon, farewell, loss, and desire for dollars.
We now must say good-bye.
-We've lost our good old mamma
-And must have dollars, oh you know why!
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