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Taking A Walk Lyrics
A man came to our house
I believe it was yesterday
I would have invited him in
But I didn't have a lot to say
His anticipation of me opening the door
Outweighed my apprehension as it never had before
And drove my concentration
Right through that hardwood floor
Oh, uh-huh
I'm taking a walk
I'm going outside
I'm taking a walk
I'm just gettin' back
There's a girl in the white house
I don't even know her name
Her disheveled appearance
Speaks volumes of shame
It's an embarrassing situation
But a situation just the same
The way she walks on others
And never takes the blame
Upsets my constitution
Beyond its motor frame
Oh, uh-huh
I'm taking a walk (Taking a walk)
I'm going outside (Going outside)
I'm watching the birds (Taking a walk)
I'm just gettin' back (Just getting back)
Found a carton departed
Of my worn out overalls
From a girl in Cedar Rapids
Now residing in Idaho Falls
I wish you could've been there
When she opened up the door
And looked me in the face
Like she never did before
I felt about as welcome
As a Wal-Mart superstore
Oh, uh-huh
I'm taking walk (Taking a walk)
I'm going outside (Going outside)
I'm taking a walk (Taking a walk)
I don't need a ride (Just getting by)
I'm watching the birds (Taking a walk)
Flying so high (Going outside....)
I believe it was yesterday
I would have invited him in
But I didn't have a lot to say
His anticipation of me opening the door
Outweighed my apprehension as it never had before
And drove my concentration
Right through that hardwood floor
Oh, uh-huh
I'm going outside
I'm taking a walk
I'm just gettin' back
I don't even know her name
Her disheveled appearance
Speaks volumes of shame
It's an embarrassing situation
But a situation just the same
The way she walks on others
And never takes the blame
Upsets my constitution
Beyond its motor frame
Oh, uh-huh
I'm going outside (Going outside)
I'm watching the birds (Taking a walk)
I'm just gettin' back (Just getting back)
Of my worn out overalls
From a girl in Cedar Rapids
Now residing in Idaho Falls
I wish you could've been there
When she opened up the door
And looked me in the face
Like she never did before
I felt about as welcome
As a Wal-Mart superstore
Oh, uh-huh
I'm going outside (Going outside)
I'm taking a walk (Taking a walk)
I don't need a ride (Just getting by)
I'm watching the birds (Taking a walk)
Flying so high (Going outside....)
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
It's "found a card in my pocket." It's "beyond my mortal/moral frame."
Anyway absolutely amazing lyrics with world weary insights and great humour. One of my favourites.
Would appreciate knowing who the girl in the whitehouse refers to. I'm british and someone American out there will probably have more idea.
Copyright 2005.
He made a rather negative comment about GWB in another song, but the reference "disheveled appearance" doesn't quite fit that.
Contrary to a previous post, I don't find this song funny. I find it confusing. To me, along with the feel of the music, it seems as if it is about wanting to retreat from society.
I don't consider it a great lyric and JP is certainly a great writer, one of my favorites. But I do like listening to the song. I find it the epitome of 'easy listening.' I just wish I understood it!
Probably something much more general, like our version of democracy and it's reputation around the world. Seems to be connecting the statue of liberty (lady) with that version of our leadership, and the way the world sees what the US stands for.
Oh, how I miss the good ol' days when Goerge Bush Jr was the scariest thing in the White House.
Hope this helps toperic02 across the pond.
Also
Hope this helps toperic02 across the pond.
Also slightlyaskew and Jason S., it's about Lady Liberty in Dubwa's White House.
Also, neverbilly; it's not always easy listening after you understand.
Referring to the line "there's a girl in the White House”: “To me she’s, like, Miss Liberty, and I just think she’s looking pretty shabby these days, to the rest of the world and everything. If this is the way you’ve got to run a democracy, it’s pretty shabby.” (2005) ~John Prine
I think the man at the door was someone telling him (the character) that a loved one had been killed in the war. The lady in the white house is America. I think the verse starting " found a card in my pocket " is referring to a time that he told the girl that her loved one , his friend had been killed in the war. The card was probably a thank you card from her.