Lyrics
Before I was born, late one night
Describes the time before the speaker's birth.
My papa said everything's alright
The father reassures that everything is fine.
The doctor made my ma lay down
The mother follows the doctor's advice to lie down.
With her stomach bouncing all around
Illustrates the physical discomfort of pregnancy.
'Cause the bebop stork was about to arrive
Introduces the idea of the "bebop stork" symbolizing birth.
Mama gave birth to the hand jive
The speaker humorously claims to be born through hand jive, a dance form.
I could barely walk when I milked the cow
Childhood activities, emphasizing early physical development.
When I was three, I pushed a plow
Recalls an early age when the speaker engaged in farming tasks.
While chopping wood I move my legs
Multitasking, combining work (chopping wood) with movement (leg movement).
And I started dancing while I gathered eggs
Describes dancing while performing daily chores (gathering eggs).
Townfolk clapped, I was only five
Recognition from the town for the speaker's dancing skills at a young age.
"He'll out dance 'em all, he's born to hand jive"
An assertion that the speaker is exceptionally skilled in hand jive.
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, everybody
An enthusiastic call to everyone.
Born to hand jive, baby
Reiteration of being "born to hand jive," emphasizing dancing talent.
Born to hand jive, baby, yeah
-How low can you go?
Invitation to dance and a play on the phrase "How low can you go?"
How low can you go?
-How low can you go?
-How low can you go?
-Higher, higher, higher and higher
An exclamation, possibly referring to the energy and excitement of dancing.
Now can you hand jive, baby?
Repetition of the question, encouraging hand jive dance.
Oh, can you hand jive, baby?
-Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, oh, yeah (yeah)
-Born to hand jive, oh, yeah
Reaffirmation of being born to hand jive.
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