I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
Embracing Life's Riches: A Reflection on "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'" by Shirley Horn
Lyrics
Oh, I got plenty o' nuttin'
Expressing contentment with having nothing.
And nuttin's plenty for me
Being satisfied with what little one has.
I got no car, got no mule
Listing possessions he lacks: car, mule, misery.
I got no misery
Emphasizing the absence of troubles or sorrows.
De folks wid plenty o' plenty
Contrasting with those who have plenty.
Got a lock on de door
People with abundance are cautious and guarded.
'Fraid somebody's a-goin' to rob 'em
Fear of theft while pursuing more wealth.
While dey's out a-makin' more
Questioning the motive behind accumulating wealth.
What for?
Raising the question of the purpose of acquiring wealth.
I got no lock on de door
Rejecting the idea of locking doors, preferring openness.
Dat's no way to be
Arguing against a cautious, guarded lifestyle.
Dey kin steal de rug from de floor
Acceptance of potential loss without concern.
Dat's okeh wid me
Indifference towards material possessions.
'Cause de things dat I prize
Valuing intangible things like stars in the sky.
Like de stars in de skies
Emphasizing the freedom of intangible treasures.
All are free
Highlighting the beauty and freedom of nature.
Oh, I got plenty o' nuttin'
(Repetition of lines 1-2)
And nuttin's plenty for me
-I got a gal, got my song
Expressing satisfaction with a romantic relationship and music.
Got Hebben the whole day long
Contentment in the heavenly bliss provided by love and music.
No use complaining
Discouraging complaints about life.
Got my gal, got my Lawd
Enumerating personal possessions and sources of joy.
Got my song
Reaffirming the presence of personal joys.
Oh, I got plenty o' nuttin'
(Repetition of lines 1-2)
And nuttin's plenty for me
-I got the sun, got the moon
List of natural elements representing abundance.
Got the deep blue sea
Contrasting with those who have plenty and need to pray.
De foks wid plenty o' plenty
(Repetition of lines 5-6)
Got to pray all de day
Observing the anxiety that comes with abundance.
Seems wid plenty you sure got to worry
Highlighting the worries associated with wealth.
How to keep the debbel away
The struggle to keep negative influences at bay.
Away
(Repetition of line 33)
I ain't frettin 'bout hell
Indifference towards the fear of hell.
'Till de time arrive
Delaying worry about hell until it becomes a reality.
Never worry long as I'm well
Contentment as long as one is healthy.
Never one to strive
Not inclined to strive for moral perfection.
To be good, to be bad
Rejecting the dichotomy of being good or bad.
What the hell
Indifference towards moral distinctions.
I is glad I's alive
Expressing gratitude for the gift of life.
Oh, I got plenty o' nuttin'
(Repetition of lines 1-2)
And nuttin's plenty for me
-I got a gal, got my song
(Repetition of lines 20-21)
Got Hebben the whole day long
-No use complaining
(Repetition of lines 22-24)
Got my gal, got my Lawd
-Got my song
(Repetition of lines 20-21)
Comment