Cotton
Rebellion in Rhymes: Embracing Funky Freedom
Lyrics
When I was a young boy
Reflecting on childhood as a young boy
I used to play a little game
Engaging in a playful activity
I was always doing something
Constantly occupied with various things
Just to pass the time away
Filling time with activities
Teacher always told me
Advice from a teacher to focus and not daydream
Quit staring out the window
Instruction to stop looking out the window
You better pay attention
Emphasis on paying attention
Here's what's on my mind
Shift to personal thoughts and concerns
It goes over again
Repetition of the theme
It goes inside my head
Thoughts recurring in the mind
Get back in line
Instruction to conform and follow rules
Better listen to the teacher
Emphasizing the importance of listening to the teacher
My mind was always somewhere
Mind wandering to places it shouldn't be
Where it really shouldn't be
The struggle to adhere to societal expectations
You need to be a big boy
Expectation to mature and follow instructions
And do what you are told
The speaker's defiance of authority
I really didn't listen
Disregarding advice and consequences
And it never leaves my mind
Persistent memories of disobedience
It goes over again
Reiteration of recurring thoughts
It goes inside my head
Continued internal contemplation
It goes over, and over, and over again
Thoughts repeating incessantly
These are the words that old Stymie said
Reference to advice from a figure named Stymie
I wish Cotton was a monkey
Expressing a wish for a carefree and fun existence
Because he's sure enough funky
Praising the desirable qualities of someone named Cotton
When I was a young boy
Recollection of childhood activities
I used to play a little game
Engaging in a playful activity (repeated)
I was always doing something
Constantly occupied with various things (repeated)
Just to pass the time away
Filling time with activities (repeated)
Teacher always told me
Advice from a teacher to focus and not daydream (repeated)
Quit staring out the window
Instruction to stop looking out the window (repeated)
You better pay attention
Emphasis on paying attention (repeated)
And it never my mind
Continued struggle with persistent thoughts
It goes over again
Repetition of the recurring theme
It goes inside my head
Ongoing internal contemplation
It goes over, and over, and over again
Endless repetition of thoughts and struggles
These are the words that old Stymie said
Reference to advice from the character Stymie
I wish Cotton was a monkey
Reiteration of the desire for carefree and fun existence
Because he's sure enough funky
Affirmation of Cotton's funkiness
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