Crow Hollow Blues
The Bittersweet Labor Symphony: Crow Hollow Reflections
Lyrics
Workin' in the sun, a-scrapin' down the tar
Working outdoors under the sun, scraping tar.
If we made a run fer it, we wouldn't get far
If attempting to escape, the chances of success are low.
Shovel on a stone, diggin' deeper down
Using a shovel to dig into the ground.
Every day a good day that you above ground
Every day alive is considered a good day.
Chorus:
Chorus introduction.
Hear that crow a-laughin' at me
A crow's laughter is heard, possibly mocking the narrator.
Rain comin' down on the hangman tree
Symbolic reference to rain falling on a hangman tree.
Swing that shovel, and push that dirt
Continuing to work, digging and pushing dirt.
Brady got it in the back, you know it gotta hurt
Reference to Brady experiencing pain in the back.
One day last week, when the boss man slept
A day when the boss is asleep, a break from work.
Stopped shovelin' for a while and we all made a bet
Workers stopped shoveling and made a bet.
Who could run an' catch a frog, or grab a dandelion
Engaging in lighthearted activities like catching frogs or grabbing dandelions.
Billy got caught, he in the hothouse fryin'
Billy faced consequences and is now suffering.
Chorus:
Chorus repeated.
Hear that crow a-laughin' at me
Repeat of the crow's laughter and rain imagery.
Rain comin' down on the hangman tree
Repeat of the hangman tree reference.
Some people gone missin', some people have died
People have gone missing or died, emphasizing uncertainty and mortality.
You never know when God'll kick you offa this ride
Life is unpredictable; one doesn't know when it will end.
Been cuttin' me a notch on the bunkhouse floor
Marking time spent in the bunkhouse with notches on the floor.
One for every year, and now I'm countin' forty-four
Each notch represents a year, and the narrator has reached forty-four years.
Swing that shovel, and push that dirt
Continuing the physical labor of shoveling and pushing dirt.
Brady got it in the back, you know it gotta hurt
Reference to Brady's pain in the back reiterated.
Workin' in the sun, scrapin' down the tar
Repetition of the description of outdoor work under the sun.
If we made a run fer it, we wouldn't get far
Reiteration of the low likelihood of successfully escaping.
We toil and strain, we kick and scream
Describing the challenging and demanding nature of their work.
We may be just a drop of rain a-swimmin' in a dream
Suggesting life's struggles and uncertainties, perhaps feeling insignificant like a drop of rain in a dream.
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