This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
They're throwing knives into the tree
Two big bags of dead man's bones
Got their noses to the grindstones
Living in the Land of Nod
Trustin' their fate to the hands of God
They pass by so silently
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, they're going to the country, they're gonna retire
They're taking a streetcar named desire
Looking in the window at the pecan pie
Lot of things they'd like they would never buy
Neither one gonna turn and run
They're making a voyage to the sun
"His Master's voice is calling me"
Says Tweedle-Dee Dum to Tweedle-Dee Dee
Tweedle-Dee Dee and Tweedle-Dee Dum
All that and more and then some
They walk among the stately trees
They know the secrets of the breeze
Tweedle-Dee Dum said to Tweedle-Dee Dee
"Your presence is obnoxious to me"
They're like babies sittin' on a woman's knee
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, the rain beating down on my windowpane
I got love for you and it's all in vain
Brains in the pot, they're beginning to boil
They're dripping with garlic and olive oil
Tweedle-Dee Dee, he's on his hands and his knees
Saying, "Throw me somethin', Mister, please"
"What's good for you is good for me"
Says Tweedle-Dee Dum to Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, they're living in a happy harmony
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
They're one day older and a dollar short
They've got a parade permit and a police escort
They're lying low and they're makin' hay
They seem determined to go all the way
They run a brick and tile company
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, a childish dream is a deathless need
And a noble truth is a sacred creed
My pretty baby, she's lookin' around
She's wearin' a multi-thousand dollar gown
Tweedle-Dee Dee is a lowdown, sorry old man
Tweedle-Dee Dum, he'll stab you where you stand
"I've had too much of your company,"
Said, Tweedle-dee dumb to Tweedle-dee Dee
They're throwing knives into the tree
Two big bags of dead man's bones
Got their noses to the grindstones
Living in the Land of Nod
Trustin' their fate to the hands of God
They pass by so silently
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, they're going to the country, they're gonna retire
They're taking a streetcar named desire
Looking in the window at the pecan pie
Lot of things they'd like they would never buy
Neither one gonna turn and run
They're making a voyage to the sun
"His Master's voice is calling me"
Says Tweedle-Dee Dum to Tweedle-Dee Dee
Tweedle-Dee Dee and Tweedle-Dee Dum
All that and more and then some
They walk among the stately trees
They know the secrets of the breeze
Tweedle-Dee Dum said to Tweedle-Dee Dee
"Your presence is obnoxious to me"
They're like babies sittin' on a woman's knee
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, the rain beating down on my windowpane
I got love for you and it's all in vain
Brains in the pot, they're beginning to boil
They're dripping with garlic and olive oil
Tweedle-Dee Dee, he's on his hands and his knees
Saying, "Throw me somethin', Mister, please"
"What's good for you is good for me"
Says Tweedle-Dee Dum to Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, they're living in a happy harmony
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
They're one day older and a dollar short
They've got a parade permit and a police escort
They're lying low and they're makin' hay
They seem determined to go all the way
They run a brick and tile company
Tweedle-Dee Dum and Tweedle-Dee Dee
Well, a childish dream is a deathless need
And a noble truth is a sacred creed
My pretty baby, she's lookin' around
She's wearin' a multi-thousand dollar gown
Tweedle-Dee Dee is a lowdown, sorry old man
Tweedle-Dee Dum, he'll stab you where you stand
"I've had too much of your company,"
Said, Tweedle-dee dumb to Tweedle-dee Dee
Lyrics submitted by Lurgee, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I've always thought it was about Bush and Chenney, but can't be sure.
After more consideration, I would have to say that it was actually Bush and Gore he was referring to. It's easy, after the abomination that was the Bush presidency to think it was Bush and Chenney, but looking at when the song was probably written (1999), I would say it was the 2 candidates he was referring to.