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Tom Waits – Hang On St. Christopher Lyrics 11 years ago
As in many of his songs, another about the mythic landscape surrounding the automobile - mostly a U.S. phenomenon. Don't know the meaning of all of the images and auto slang and expressions. I worked on a Waits Dictionary to explain the American slang and expressions found littered (in a literary way, of course) along the should of Tom's songs, so I'll add a few here.

Put a high ball in the crank case.......some explosive fuel mixture to increase engine thrust, I guess. A high ball is also slang for a mixed drink, usually whisky and ginger ale, e.g. Seagrams & ginger ale....High ball.

Hammer to the floor.....accelerator pedal to the floor, full acceleration.

submissions
Tom Waits – Hang On St. Christopher Lyrics 11 years ago
The horns that start the song are reminiscent of car horns in a traffic jam or along an urban street.

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Tom Waits – Hang On St. Christopher Lyrics 11 years ago
Just saw your question. 750 Norton is a legendary British motorcycle. Bustin down January's door - I'm not sure what that means.

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