Lyrics
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
Expressing the hardship of starting the day, working hard for a living
So that every mouth can be fed
Highlighting the purpose of hard work – to ensure everyone has enough to eat
Poor me Israelites, ah
Personalizing the struggle, emphasizing the speaker as an Israelite facing difficulties
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
Repetition of the morning routine, reinforcing the idea of daily struggles
So that every mouth can be fed
Reiterating the universal aim of providing food through hard work
Poor me Israelite
Reaffirming the personal struggle of the speaker as an Israelite
My wife and my kids, they packed up and leave me
Sharing the emotional pain of the speaker, as the family has left
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Quoting the departing words of the wife, claiming to be seen by the speaker
Poor me Israelites
Re-emphasizing the personal hardship faced by the speaker as an Israelite
Shirt them a-tear up, trousers is gone
Describing the physical toll of the struggles, clothes tearing and deteriorating
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Expressing a desire to avoid a tragic fate like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelites
Reiterating the personal struggle of the speaker
After a storm there must be a calm
Introducing the idea of hope after a difficult period
They catch me in the farm
Describing a moment of being caught or trapped, possibly metaphorical
You sound your alarm
Encouraging vigilance, as indicated by sounding the alarm
Poor me Israelites
Reaffirming the personal struggle of the speaker as an Israelite
I said I get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
Repeating the morning routine and the purpose of hard work for sustenance
So that every mouth can be fed
Reiterating the universal aim of ensuring everyone has enough to eat
Poor me Israelites
Reaffirming the personal struggle of the speaker as an Israelite
I said my wife and my kids, they are packed up and leave me
Repeating the emotional pain of the family leaving the speaker
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Quoting the departing words of the wife, claiming to be seen by the speaker
Poor me Israelites
Reaffirming the personal hardship faced by the speaker as an Israelite
Look me shirts them a-tear up, trousers are gone
Describing the physical toll of the struggles, clothes tearing and deteriorating
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Expressing a desire to avoid a tragic fate like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelites
Reiterating the personal struggle of the speaker
After a storm there must be a calm
Introducing the idea of hope after a difficult period
They catch me in the farm
Describing a moment of being caught or trapped, possibly metaphorical
You sound your alarm
Encouraging vigilance, as indicated by sounding the alarm
Poor me Israelites
Reaffirming the personal struggle of the speaker as an Israelite
Poor me Israelites, poor me Israelites, poor me Israelites
Concluding with a repetition of the personal hardship faced by the speaker as an Israelite
Comment