Shoe Shine Boy
Shine Through Life: The Resilience of a Shoe Shine Boy
Lyrics
Though you haven't many toys
Expressing the scarcity of material possessions or luxuries
You don't envy any boys
Not feeling envious of other boys despite having few toys
Every day's a work day
Highlighting the daily commitment to work
Your work is just a game
Portraying work as a joyful activity, akin to a game
I'd like to sing your praise
Expressing a desire to praise the person but lacking knowledge of their name
But I don't know your name
Reiterating the lack of knowledge about the person being praised
You're just a shoe shine boy
Identifying the person as a shoe shine boy
You work hard all day
Emphasizing the hard work put in throughout the day
Shoe shine boy
Reiterating the identity of the person as a shoe shine boy
Got no time to play
Indicating a lack of time for leisure activities
Every nickel helps a lot
Stressing the value of each earned nickel in improving one's circumstances
So shine, shine, shoe shine boy
Encouraging the shoe shine boy to continue working diligently
You find joy in the things you do
Highlighting the joy derived from the shoe shine boy's work
Shoe shine boy seldom ever blue
Noting the rarity of the shoe shine boy feeling sad
You're content with what you've got
Expressing contentment with the current situation
So shine, shine, shoe shine boy
Encouraging the shoe shine boy to continue shining shoes
People look at you with scorn
Addressing societal judgment based on appearance
'Cause your clothes are worn and torn
Acknowledging the worn and torn clothes but emphasizing resilience
Still you never whine
Highlighting the shoe shine boy's lack of complaint despite challenges
You keep looking up and down the street
Describing the shoe shine boy's constant observation of people passing by
Pleading with each one you meet
Describing the shoe shine boy's plea for assistance
Brother, can you spare a shine?
Quoting the shoe shine boy's request for spare change
Oh, shoe shine boy, soon the day will come
Anticipating a future day of success and happiness for the shoe shine boy
Shoe shine boy soon a tune you'll hum
Expecting the shoe shine boy to hum a tune soon, indicating a positive change
Every nickel helps a lot
Reiterating the value of each earned nickel in improving one's circumstances
So shine, shine, shoe shine boy
Encouraging the shoe shine boy to continue working diligently
Shoe shine, shoe shine boy
Repeating the encouragement for the shoe shine boy to shine shoes
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