They All Laughed
Defying Doubt: Triumph in the Face of Skepticism
Lyrics
The odds were a hundred to one against me
The odds of success were very low, 100 to 1 against the speaker.
The world thought the heights were too high to climb
The world believed that the goals were too difficult to achieve.
But people from Missouri never incensed me
The skepticism of others didn't discourage the speaker, referencing the resilience associated with people from Missouri.
Oh, I wasn't a bit concerned
The speaker wasn't bothered or worried.
For from hist'ry I had learned
Through historical lessons, the speaker gained confidence and learned from past experiences.
How many, many times the worm had turned
Reflecting on how often situations have turned in one's favor despite initial doubts.
They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world was round
A reference to the skepticism faced by historical figures like Christopher Columbus.
They all laughed when Edison recorded sound
Mentions the laughter at Thomas Edison's invention of sound recording.
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother when they said that man could fly
Recalls the mockery of the Wright brothers' belief in human flight.
They told Marconi wireless was a phony, it's the same old cry
Refers to the skepticism around Marconi's wireless communication invention.
They laughed at me wanting you, said I was reaching for the moon
Others laughed at the speaker's pursuit of a romantic interest, suggesting it was an unrealistic goal.
But oh, you came through, now they'll have to change their tune
Despite the skepticism, the speaker's romantic interest came through, proving the doubters wrong.
They all said we never could be happy, they laughed at us and how!
People doubted the speaker's ability to find happiness in a relationship, but the speaker proved them wrong.
But ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh now?
Expresses triumph and satisfaction in having the last laugh in various situations.
They all laughed at Rockefeller Center, now they're fighting to get in
Refers to the initial skepticism towards the construction of Rockefeller Center, now a popular place.
They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin
Mentions laughter directed at Whitney and his cotton gin invention.
They all laughed Fulton and his steamboat, Hershey and his chocolate bar
Lists instances where inventors like Fulton, Hershey, and Ford faced ridicule but ultimately succeeded.
Ford and his Lizzie, kept the laughers busy, that's how people are
Highlights how people often mock innovative ideas before accepting them.
They laughed at me wanting you, said it would be, "Hello, Goodbye."
Recalls the skepticism towards the speaker's pursuit of a romantic interest.
But oh, you came through, now they're eating humble pie
Despite doubts, the romantic interest reciprocated, making the skeptics "eat humble pie."
They all said we'd never get together, darling, let's take a bow
Addresses the skepticism about the speaker and their romantic interest getting together.
For ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh?
Reiterates the satisfaction of having the last laugh in various situations.
Hee, hee, hee! Let's at the past laugh, Ha, ha, ha! Who's got the last laugh now?
Expresses amusement at the past and asserts the speaker's triumph over skepticism.
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