Fine How'd Ya Do
Fine How'd Ya Do: Unveiling a Surreal Parade of Life's Ironies
Lyrics
Now the troubadours are outside the court
Troubadours are outside the court, possibly symbolizing artists with gramophones and rifles as their tools of expression.
With their gramophones and rifles
An awful cloud dares to pour, creating a wild scene akin to a 3-D picture bible story.
And an awful cloud is daring to pour
Floats of tinsel garland are stuck on the parade route, possibly representing stalled progress or celebration.
Such a wild scene a 3-D picture bible story
The majorette twirls in the rain, and the marching band persists despite being soaking wet - resilience in the face of adversity.
And the floats of tinsel garland are downed
Ladies in queen union suits shuffle happily for the camera, and men smoke cigarettes, depicting contrasting scenes.
Stalled for blocks on the parade route
High kicks in felt button boots, possibly a playful, festive display.
But the majorette still twirls in the rain
Reference to baby dolls of bisque and a blankness falling over someone's face, possibly hinting at a disconnection.
And the marching band goes soaking wet
Speaker oblivious to the dire time, questioning the wisdom of sipping lemonade in such a situation.
And that's a fine how
Reiteration that the situation is not fine, emphasizing the irony.
Do ya do do ya do
Continuation of the refrain, emphasizing the irony of the "fine how."
That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-See the ladies in their queen union suits
Ladies in queen union suits shuffling for the camera in a joyful manner.
Shuffling gaily for the camera
Men puffing cigarettes from Panama, possibly suggesting a sense of leisure or indulgence.
Doing high kicks in their felt button boots
Description of high kicks in felt button boots, continuing the festive display.
While the men puff their cigarettes from Panama
Contrast between the scenes of men and women.
Like the baby dolls of bisque on display
Reference to baby dolls of bisque and a speaker with a blank expression, possibly alluding to a disconnect or lack of understanding.
In the shops of Barcelona
-There's a blankness that falls over his face
-As the speaker makes his way up to the podium
-Could he be so blind to sip lemonade
Questioning the speaker's blindness to the dire time while sipping lemonade.
In such a dire time well that's a fine
Reiteration that it's a fine how in the given situation.
That's a fine how
Repetition of the ironic refrain.
Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-Ah ah
Interjection expressing emotion.
Holding hostage in the opium dens
Imagery of opium dens and their location in alleyways.
That are tucked behind the alleyway
Reference to corridors of Amsterdam bending, possibly suggesting a hidden or obscured reality.
Where the corridors of Amsterdam bend
Windows where harlots pose like mannequins, depicting a somewhat dehumanized view of sex workers.
'Neath the windows where the harlots pose like mannequins
Highlighting the lack of attention or consideration for these individuals on Valentine's Day.
No one thinks of them on Valentines (do ya do)
Emphasizing the absence of romantic gestures like chocolate boxes or cards for them.
There's no chocolate box or cards to read
Reiteration that it's a fine how in this context.
And that's a fine how
Repetition of the ironic refrain.
Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
-Do ya do do ya do
-That's a fine how
Final repetition of the ironic refrain.
Comment