Vernon the Company Man
Corporate Chains: The Tale of Vernon, A Company Man
Lyrics
Vernon was a company man
Vernon was dedicated to his job at the company.
He kept his hair trimmed short
He maintained a neat appearance with short hair.
And his sideburns shaved
He kept his sideburns shaved, suggesting a disciplined and formal demeanor.
He was a Brill cream man
Vernon used Brill cream, a grooming product, emphasizing his attention to personal grooming.
He liked Swiss and ham
He enjoyed Swiss cheese and ham, possibly indicating a preference for refined or sophisticated tastes.
He drank beer out of can
He drank beer from a can on Saturdays, suggesting a casual or routine leisure activity.
On Saturdays
Reiteration of his routine behavior on Saturdays.
He was a company man
Confirmation of Vernon's identity as a committed company man.
Vernon was a company man
Reiteration of Vernon's dedication to his job.
His hat glommed on to his head
Describes his hat clinging to his head, possibly emphasizing conformity or being tightly associated with his role.
Like a bottle cap
Compares his hat to a bottle cap, reinforcing the idea of something tightly affixed to him.
His face read
His face is described as reading like a topographical map, suggesting complexity or a multitude of experiences.
Like a topographical map
Reiteration of the intricate nature of his face.
And he could chat like a bird
Highlights his ability to talk extensively, even when there is no substantial content.
When there was nothing to say
Points out his talkative nature when there is a lack of meaningful conversation.
He was a company man
Confirmation of his identity as a company man.
Vernon was a company man
Reiteration of his commitment to the company.
He had an Ex-wife and ex-kid
Describes his past relationships with an ex-wife, ex-kid, ex-dog, and ex-house, indicating a history of broken ties.
An ex-dog an ex-house
Highlights his previous familial and domestic connections.
He played footsies with
Suggests inappropriate behavior with a dead man's spouse through the mention of "footsies."
A dead mans spouse
Continuation of the description of his inappropriate actions.
Then the Marlboro man
The Marlboro man (possibly a symbol of rugged individualism) causes Vernon's demise.
Dug him an early grave
Indicates Vernon's untimely death.
He's a company man
Reiteration of Vernon's identity as a company man, even in death.
He's a company man
Further confirmation of Vernon's commitment to the company, even posthumously.
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