Lyrics
She said boy go get that shovel
Encouragement to work by using a shovel to gather worms for fishing.
We need worms for the coffee can
Specifically, worms are needed for a coffee can, possibly as bait for fishing.
If you wanna go fishin'
Emphasizes the desire to go fishing but implies a condition for it.
You gotta get a little dirt on your hands
Stressing the importance of getting one's hands dirty for the activity.
Get a little dirt on your hands
Reiteration of the idea of getting dirt on hands for fishing.
I know you like them tators
Expressing a preference for potatoes, likely related to a traditional meal.
Straight from my fryin' pan
Direct reference to cooking potatoes in a frying pan.
Somebody had to dig em
Acknowledging the effort required to obtain the potatoes.
And they got a little dirt on their hands
Highlighting that others also got their hands dirty for the potatoes.
They got a little dirt on their hands
Reiteration of the idea that others got dirt on their hands for the same purpose.
Well I didn't know it then
Reflecting on a lack of awareness in the past.
But now I understand
Current understanding of the importance of past lessons.
Grandma taught me all I need to know to be a man
Grandma's teachings provided the necessary guidance for manhood.
You gotta get a little dirt on your hands
Reiteration of the idea that getting dirt on hands is crucial.
Get a little dirt get a little dirt on your hands
Emphasizing the importance of getting dirt on hands through repetition.
When I close my eyes
Describing a fond memory of Grandma with a smile.
I see her smile
The image of Grandma's smile is vivid in the narrator's mind.
Well I didn't know it then
Reflecting on past ignorance and a current understanding of Grandma's teachings.
But now I understand
Grandma taught me all I need to know to be a man
Reiteration of Grandma's guidance for becoming a man.
You gotta get a little dirt on your hands
Emphasizing the continued importance of getting dirt on hands.
Get a little dirt get a little dirt on your hands
Repetition of the idea that getting dirt on hands is crucial.
She said son I hate to leave you
Grandma expresses regret for leaving but hints at a promised better place.
But I'm headin' for the Promise Land
Reference to Grandma's journey to the Promise Land.
When you send me to heaven
Anticipating that when the narrator joins Grandma in heaven, they too will get dirt on their hands.
You're gonna get a little dirt on ya
Suggesting that entering heaven involves some form of earthly effort or sacrifice.
You're gonna get a little dirt on your hands
Reiteration of the idea that reaching heaven involves getting dirt on hands.
Well I didn't know it then
Reflecting on past ignorance and current understanding.
But now I understand
Grandma taught me all I need to know to be a man
Grandma's teachings are again emphasized for shaping manhood.
You gotta get a little dirt on your hands
Stressing the ongoing importance of getting dirt on hands.
Get a little dirt get a little dirt on your hands
Repetition of the idea that getting dirt on hands is crucial.
Comment