The song probably alludes to Jakob Dylan's strained relationship with is father; he appeared to confirm this in Rolling Stone in 2000. The lyrics as give though are a bit off. The following is a more accurate rendering:
You won't ever amount to much
You won't be anyone
Now tell me what you are thinking of
How could think you would be enough
It's not that you have stayed too long
It's not that you've done something wrong
It's not your fault
But you embarrass us all
You're a hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you will never make us proud
You've been used by a army of kings
You've been touched by the lips of a queen
Now we've all made good use of you
But you won't be needed again
So why don't you move and let someone else in
Make some room for a new harlequin
'Cause you never know when
You'll disappoint us again
Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you won't ever make us proud
Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you could never make us proud
Hand me down
So look at you with your worn out shoes
Livin' proof evolution's through
We're stuck with you
This revolution's due
Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you could never make us proud
Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you won't ever make us proud
The song probably alludes to Jakob Dylan's strained relationship with is father; he appeared to confirm this in Rolling Stone in 2000. The lyrics as give though are a bit off. The following is a more accurate rendering:
You won't ever amount to much You won't be anyone Now tell me what you are thinking of How could think you would be enough It's not that you have stayed too long It's not that you've done something wrong It's not your fault But you embarrass us all
You're a hand me down It's better when you're not around You feel good And you look like you should But you will never make us proud
You've been used by a army of kings You've been touched by the lips of a queen Now we've all made good use of you But you won't be needed again So why don't you move and let someone else in Make some room for a new harlequin 'Cause you never know when You'll disappoint us again
Hand me down It's better when you're not around You feel good And you look like you should But you won't ever make us proud
Hand me down It's better when you're not around You feel good And you look like you should But you could never make us proud Hand me down
So look at you with your worn out shoes Livin' proof evolution's through We're stuck with you This revolution's due
Hand me down It's better when you're not around You feel good And you look like you should But you could never make us proud
Hand me down It's better when you're not around You feel good And you look like you should But you won't ever make us proud