Jockey Full of Bourbon

Bourbon Dreams: Tom Waits' Intoxicating Tale of Life's Twists
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Lyrics

Edna Million in a drop-dead suit

Edna Million is dressed impeccably in a stunning outfit.

Dutch Pink on a downtown train

Dutch Pink is on a train in the downtown area.

Two-dollar pistol but the gun won't shoot

A cheap pistol worth two dollars, but it's malfunctioning.

I'm in the corner in the pouring rain

The singer finds himself isolated in a corner while it rains heavily.

Sixteen men on a dead man's chest

A reference to pirate lore with a group of men near a dead person's chest.

And I've been drinking from a broken cup

The singer is drinking from a damaged or shattered cup.

Two pairs of pants and a mohair vest

He's wearing two sets of pants and a fancy vest made of mohair.

I'm full of bourbon, I can't stand up

The singer is intoxicated with bourbon to the point where he can't stand.


Hey little bird, fly away home

A repeated plea to a bird, warning it of a fire at its home where the children are left alone.

Your house is on fire, your children are alone

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Hey little bird, fly away home

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Your house is on fire, your children are alone

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Schiffer broke a bottle on Morgan's head

A mention of a violent altercation where someone broke a bottle over another person's head.

And I've been stepping on the Devil's tail

The singer feels as if he's been tempting fate or getting into trouble.

Across the stripes of a full moon's head

Refers to an eerie or mysterious situation under the light of a full moon.

And through the bars of a Cuban jail

Recollection of being in a Cuban jail, looking through the bars.

Bloody fingers on a purple knife

Describing bloodied fingers holding a knife of a certain color.

Flamingo drinking from a cocktail glass

Imagery of a flamingo drinking from an elegant glass, possibly symbolizing extravagance.

I'm on the lawn with someone else's wife

The singer finds himself on a lawn with someone else's wife.

Admire the view from up on top of the mast

Admiring the view from the top of a mast, suggesting a feeling of superiority.


Hey little bird, fly away home

Repetitive warning to the bird about the fire and children being alone.

House is on fire, your children are alone

-

Hey little bird, fly away home

-

House is on fire, your children are alone

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I said hey little bird, fly away home

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House is on fire, your children are alone

-

Hey little bird, fly away home

-

House is on fire, your children are alone

-

Yellow sheets on a Hong Kong bed

Yellow sheets on a bed in Hong Kong.

Stazybo horn and a Slingerland ride

References to specific musical instruments - a Stazybo horn and a Slingerland ride.

"To the carnival" is what she said

A woman suggests going to the carnival.

A hundred dollars makes it dark inside

A payment of a hundred dollars to keep a place dark or secret.


Edna Million in a drop-dead suit

Similar to the initial lines, describing Edna Million, Dutch Pink, a malfunctioning gun, and being in the rain.

Dutch Pink on a downtown train

-

Two-dollar pistol but the gun won't shoot

-

I'm in the corner in the pouring rain

-

Hey little bird, fly away home

Reiterated warnings to the bird about the fire and the children being alone.

Your house is on fire, your children are alone

-

Hey little bird, fly away home

-

Your house is on fire, your children are alone

-
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