"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
As we rode out to Fennario
As we rode out to Fennario
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
And he called her by name pretty Peggy-O
Will you marry me, pretty Peggy-O
Will you marry me, pretty Peggy-O
If you will marry me, I will set your cities free
And free all the ladies in the area-O
I would marry you, sweet William-O
I would marry you, sweet William-O
I would marry you, but your guineas are too few
And I fear my mama would be angry-O
What would your mama think, pretty Peggy-O
What would your mama think, pretty Peggy-O
What would your mama think if she heard my guineas clink
And saw me marching at the head of my soldiers-O
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-O
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-O
If ever I return, all your citie
As we rode out to Fennario
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
And he called her by name pretty Peggy-O
Will you marry me, pretty Peggy-O
Will you marry me, pretty Peggy-O
If you will marry me, I will set your cities free
And free all the ladies in the area-O
I would marry you, sweet William-O
I would marry you, sweet William-O
I would marry you, but your guineas are too few
And I fear my mama would be angry-O
What would your mama think, pretty Peggy-O
What would your mama think, pretty Peggy-O
What would your mama think if she heard my guineas clink
And saw me marching at the head of my soldiers-O
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-O
If ever I return, pretty Peggy-O
If ever I return, all your citie
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Peggy-O Lyrics as written by Robert Hall Weir Philip Lesh
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
how can i be the first one on this one? these guys fall out of bed and make epic songs.
is it just me or is there something disturbing about this song..she 'loves' him but wont marry him cause her momma will be angry, he 'loves' her but will destroy everything she loves if he comes back, since she says no to his proposal
it's like money and destruction trump love, sigh
@riter I agree and think it's very weird how you reference this song's symbolism to being "like money and destruction trump love.." and now Trump is our president (5 years later) ! Ugh. yea why would he be so destructive if he truly loved Peggy? But it goes to show how we let our egos get the best of us. That's not someone in love. That's someone that is super selfish and does not like rejection lol. Still this song is one of my favorite love songs! <br /> I do believe Garcia wrote this? (Answering a previous question that was asked)! <br /> Have a splendid day! ☺️
@riter I believe this is a love story about a man and a woman on opposite sides of a war. I have always imagined it to be the Revolutionary War (British vs. Rebels) or the Civil War (North vs. South), although it may not be either. The two subjects are deeply in love however the female's parents do not approve of their relationship. He agrees that if she will marry him, he'll set her city(ies) free however if she does not, he'll return to destroy her city.<br /> <br /> @courtneybd I believe this song is a traditional song written by an unknown artist.
Or find ones previously written like this one. Still a great song though, Dylan did a version close to this on his debut album. Not sure who wrote it though.
This song was also recorded by Simon & Garfunkel.
William seems to be deluding himself that Peggy is marrying him for love rather than to stop a wholesale bloodbath of all the ladies in the area-o. I agree that this is a disturbing song and the death of Sweet William-O almost certainly a great relief to Peggy and all the other ladies-o.
I don't understand how the captain doesn't have enough money - could Peggy be super wealthy? If he is willing to burn the city and kill all the women then he is unlikely to have the scruples to stop himself looting the homes of the wealthy-o.
The Dead love a thoroughgoing scoundrel and William sure fits the bill.