King of the Road

Wandering Through Life's Journey: Ed Bruce's 'King of the Road' Meaning
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Lyrics

Trailer for sale or rent

Trailer is available for sale or rent.

Rooms to let, 50 cents

Rooms are available to let for 50 cents.

No phone, no pool, no pets

The trailer lacks a phone, pool, and doesn't allow pets.

I ain't got no cigarettes

The speaker is out of cigarettes.

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom

Despite challenges, two hours of hard work (pushing broom) can afford a small room.

Buys a eight by 12 four-bit room

The speaker describes the size and cost of the room.

I'm a man of means, by no means

The speaker claims modest means but with pride.

King of the road

Declares himself the "King of the Road," possibly in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Third boxcar, midnight train

Describes traveling in a boxcar on a midnight train to Bangor, Maine.

Destination: Bangor, Maine

Specifies the destination of the train.

Old cold, old worn out suit and shoes

Wearing worn-out clothes, indicating a humble lifestyle.

I don't pay no union dues

Claims not to pay union dues, possibly emphasizing independence.

I smoke, old stogies I have found

Enjoys smoking old stogies, suggesting a simple pleasure.

Short, but not too big around

Humorous reference to cigar size.

I'm a man of means, by no means

Reiterates being a man of modest means with pride.

King of the road

Repeats the declaration of being the "King of the Road."

I know every engineer on every train

Claims familiarity with every engineer on every train.

All of the children and all of their names

Knows all the children and their names, emphasizing a well-traveled life.

Every handout in every town

Is aware of every handout in every town, possibly highlighting resourcefulness.

Every lock that ain't locked when no one's around

Notices unlocked locks when no one's around, suggesting keen observation.

I smoke, old stogies I have found

Repeats the enjoyment of smoking old stogies.

Short, but not too big around

Reiterates the humorous reference to cigar size.

I'm a man of means, by no means

Restates being a man of modest means with pride.

King of the road

Reaffirms being the "King of the Road."

Trailers for sale or rent

Repeats the availability of trailers for sale or rent.

Rooms to let, 50 cents

Reiterates the availability of rooms for 50 cents.

No phone, no pool, no pets

Reiterates the lack of phone, pool, and pets in the trailer.

I ain't got no cigarettes

Repeats the speaker's absence of cigarettes.

Two hours of push broom

Repeats the idea that two hours of hard work can afford a small room.

Buys a eight by 12 four-bit room

Reiterates the size and cost of the room.

I'm a man of means, by no means

Reaffirms being a man of modest means with pride.

King of the road

Reaffirms being the "King of the Road."

King of the road

Reiterates the claim of being the "King of the Road."

King of the road

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