Lyrics
Sane, sane, they're all insane
Sanity is questioned, suggesting a world where people are perceived as insane.
Fireman's blind, the conductor's lame
Metaphorical descriptions of dysfunction – a blind fireman and a lame conductor.
A Cincinnati jacket and a sad luck dame
Reference to Cincinnati and a woman with bad luck, possibly reflecting a challenging life.
Hanging out the window with a bottle full of rain
Imagery of despair, hanging out the window with a bottle full of rain.
Clap hands, clap hands
Repetition of "Clap hands" may suggest a call to action or an attempt to find rhythm amidst chaos.
Clap hands, clap hands
-Said roar, roar, the thunder and the roar
Describing a powerful sound, perhaps symbolizing chaos or turmoil.
Son bitch is never coming back here no more
Someone (son of a bitch) is leaving and won't return.
The moon in the window and a bird on the pole
Symbolic imagery of the moon and a bird, hinting at uncertainty.
We can always find a millionaire to shovel all the coal
Sarcastic reference to finding a millionaire to do a mundane task like shoveling coal.
Clap hands, clap hands
Repetition of "Clap hands."
Clap hands, clap hands
-Said steam, steam, a hundred bad dreams
Introduction of steam and bad dreams, suggesting a dark, troubled atmosphere.
Going up to Harlem with a pistol in his jeans
A journey to Harlem with a pistol, indicating danger or desperation.
A fifty dollar bill inside a paladin's hat
Money inside a paladin's hat, unclear and mysterious.
And nobody's sure where Mr. Knickerbocker's at
Uncertainty about Mr. Knickerbocker's whereabouts.
Roar, roar, the thunder and the roar
Repetition of the powerful sound, reinforcing a sense of chaos.
Son bitch is never coming back here no more
Confirmation that someone is not returning.
Moon in the window and a bird on the pole
Recurrence of the moon and bird imagery.
Always find a millionaire to shovel all the coal
Mocking the idea of finding a millionaire to do mundane tasks.
Clap hands, clap hands
Repetition of "Clap hands."
Clap hands, clap hands
-I said steam, steam, we're a hundred bad dreams
Reiteration of steam and bad dreams, intensifying the ominous atmosphere.
Going up to Harlem with a pistol in his jeans
Continuation of the journey to Harlem with a pistol, implying danger.
A fifty dollar bill inside a paladin's hat
Money in a paladin's hat, continuing the mysterious theme.
And nobody's sure where Mr. Knickerbocker's at
Uncertainty about Mr. Knickerbocker's location persists.
Shine, shine, a Roosevelt dime
Shining Roosevelt dime, possibly symbolizing hope in difficult times.
All the way to Baltimore and running out of time
A journey to Baltimore with a sense of urgency.
The Salvation Army seemed to wind up in the hole
The Salvation Army facing difficulties or challenges.
They all went to heaven in a little row boat
A surreal image of going to heaven in a little row boat, possibly a metaphor for an unusual or unexpected end.
Clap hands, clap hands
Repetition of "Clap hands."
Clap hands, clap hands
-Clap hands, clap hands
-Clap hands, clap hands
-Well, clap hands, yeah, well, clap hands, yeah
Repetition of "Well, clap hands, yeah," emphasizing the call to action or rhythm.
Oh, clap hands, clap hands
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