Lyrics
Pop works in the shop til eight
Pop works at the shop until 8 PM
Mom's on the phone and she's kind of irate
Mom is on the phone and seems upset
Sally's doing sommersaults on the lawn
Sally is doing somersaults on the lawn
Pop slams open the front screen door
Pop opens the front door loudly to startle Mom
Just to scare mom
Mom questions his action
She says, what the hell did you do that for?
Pop washes his hands, and tension is palpable at the table
He washes his dirty hands in the sink
The family is experiencing difficulties
And things around the table are kind of rough
Mom attributes it to Pa, who says times are tough
Mom says it's pa
Communication is strained between Pa, Sally, and the narrator
Pa says, the times are just tough
The garage becomes a refuge for Pa during fights
And me and sally don't say much of nothing at all
Pa believes fixing cars can solve relationship problems
The garage door light brightens up the night
The narrator wishes for an escape from family issues
Pa always works on cars when he gets in a fight
Pa wants to teach the narrator about life
As though he could figure out that woman by working on that
Pa emphasizes the importance of a man having a car and a boy having a bike
Old car
The narrator experiences a taste of freedom under the moonlight
He said a car can cure any problem at all
The narrator wishes to break free from family constraints
'Cause of looking at all them parts makes a fight look so small
Putting away tools signals the end of escape fantasies
But I wish he'd just put me and sally in the backseat and
Returning inside, Mom feels left out and starts crying
Drive us away
The narrator wonders if all girls are emotionally intense
That's when he sits me down
The narrator wishes for Pa to assert himself
He says he's gonna teach me about life
Pa expresses the importance of a car and bike for a man and a boy
He said, "a man needs a car and a boy needs a bike"
The narrator reflects on the desire for freedom
I got my first taste of freedom beneath the light of the moon
The narrator acknowledges the moonlit taste of freedom
But if it were me
Expressing a desire to test one's courage
I'd have the guts to put to test those bolts and nuts
Expressing the courage to ride away
And I'd ride away so fast, so far
A call for rapid and far-reaching escape
Ride away, so fast, so far
Reiteration of the desire for a swift departure
Put away our tools
Putting away tools after failed escape plans
We go back inside
Returning inside, leaving Mom feeling neglected
Mom feels left out and now she's starting to cry
Mom is upset and starts crying
I wonder if all girls are crazy this way
Wondering about the emotional nature of all girls
I wish pops would just get a spine
Desire for Pa to be more assertive
I said I know it's kind of small but you can borrow mine
Offering support to Pa
He just smiled and said, "your mom means well son"
Pa appreciates the support, acknowledging Mom's good intentions
Most times are good it's just some that are lean
Recognizing that most times are good, with occasional difficulties
But it's love that makes up for those times in beteween
Highlighting love as the glue during challenging times
He got a tear in his eye as he took mamma's hand
Pa gets emotional, holding Mom's hand and expressing hope for understanding
Said one day I'd understand
Anticipating future comprehension of life's complexities
But if it were me
Reiteration of the desire for a daring escape
I'd have the guts to put to test those bolts and nuts
Emphasizing the courage to break free
And I'd ride away so far, so fast
Reiteration of the desire for a swift and far-reaching escape
Ride away so fast so far
Expressing the urgency of departure
Ride away
Final expression of the longing for escape
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