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What If We Give It Away? Lyrics
On the outside underneath the wall
All the money couldn't buy
You're mistaken, no one's standing there
For the record no one tried
Oh I try to
What if we give it away?
Overlooking with a hollow eye
What's pretending is it right?
Eye for order, a hand for what's in line
Couldn't follow, couldn't write
Oh I try to
What if we give it away?
And our life is fine here
Stitch it on your tie here
Here's the trailer Tom
A year has come and gone
We're not moving was it right
Take the order, sew it on your tie
We couldn't follow, couldn't try
Oh I try to
What if we give it away?
What if we give it away?
All the money couldn't buy
You're mistaken, no one's standing there
For the record no one tried
What if we give it away?
What's pretending is it right?
Eye for order, a hand for what's in line
Couldn't follow, couldn't write
What if we give it away?
Stitch it on your tie here
A year has come and gone
We're not moving was it right
Take the order, sew it on your tie
We couldn't follow, couldn't try
What if we give it away?
What if we give it away?
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The line sounds like 'What if we give it all away'. I think the song is about moving on in life,leaving the worries and/or worldly pleasures behind.
@local_151_fella It's a late response, but your analysis has a touch of the Jesus/Christian element I see the song as the American clash between European and the Native Americans
@local_151_fella It's a late response, but your analysis has a touch of the Jesus/Christian element I see the song as the American clash between European and the Native Americans
I think local 151 may be right, especially considering the original line was "Why don't they get on their way?" You can hear this version on the bootleg Live at Tyrones from 1981.
@bugoff Interesting--- I feel like that version of the line could also work with my interpretation (see comment below): It could have a double meaning either from the perspective of the locals wanting to send the intruders packing or that of the outsiders not understanding why those backward hillbillies won\'t just take the buyout and move on.
@bugoff Interesting--- I feel like that version of the line could also work with my interpretation (see comment below): It could have a double meaning either from the perspective of the locals wanting to send the intruders packing or that of the outsiders not understanding why those backward hillbillies won\'t just take the buyout and move on.
I always thought this was about a rural family resisting being evicted from their home to make way for development --- "Take the order, sew it on your tie" expressing contempt for the suited city slicker who is trying to remove them. "All the money couldn\'t buy" --- their home is worth more than any money anyone could offer them to move.
@patricknbl I will always see this song as the bulldozing of Indigenous Americans who lived on the land for centuries before Europeans
@patricknbl I will always see this song as the bulldozing of Indigenous Americans who lived on the land for centuries before Europeans