Have You Heard About Jerry
Jerry's Struggle: A Working Man's Anthem by Louis Armstrong
Lyrics
Did you hear about Jerry,
The repetition of "Did you hear about Jerry" suggests a pervasive and intriguing event or person named Jerry that the singer is drawing attention to.
Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Great God almighty was the workin' man's friend
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-I gotta pull this timber 'fore the sun go down
The singer talks about the urgency of completing a task (pulling timber) before sundown and crossing a river. It emphasizes hard work and determination.
Headed cross that river 'fore the [bad word] 'round
-Drag it on down that dusty [bad word] on Jerry let's tote that load
-Did you hear about Jerry,
Reiteration of the mysterious event or person named Jerry, creating anticipation for more details.
Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Did you hear about Jerry,
-Well my old Jerry is a crkansas mule
Introduction of Jerry as a hardworking Arkansas mule. The description suggests resilience, experience, and strength.
Been everywhere and he ain't no fool
-Work get heavy old Jerry get slow
-Pull so much he won't pull no mo'
-Cry timber, timber, Lord this timber's gotta roll
Repetition of the cry "timber" suggests an imminent challenge or obstacle that needs to be overcome, symbolized by the rolling timber.
Timber, timber, Lord this timber's gotta roll
-Well the boss kicked Jerry and he made him jump
Description of a conflict between Jerry and the boss, highlighting Jerry's defiance and toughness. The singer expresses a desire for revenge.
Jerry ridin' kick that boss on [bad word] My old Jerry is a good old mule
-Had-a been me Lord, I'd a kill that fool
-Cry timber, timber, Lord this timber's gotta roll
Continuation of the cry "timber," emphasizing the inevitability of change or a significant event.
Timber, timber, Lord this timber's gotta roll
-Well the boss tried to shoot old Jerry in the head
Narration of a violent encounter between Jerry and the boss, with Jerry emerging victorious. The singer expresses frustration with the boss's behavior.
Jerry ducked the bullet and he stomped him dead
-Stomped that boss 'til I wanted to scream
-Should-a killed him 'cause he's so [bad word] mean
-Cry timber, timber, Lord this timber's gotta roll
Final repetition of the cry "timber," reinforcing the idea of a decisive, transformative moment, possibly the resolution of the conflict.
Timber, timber, Lord this timber's gotta roll
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