I especially love the line "And i know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair". To me, this means that The Nickel is a special sort of place where the normal rules don't apply - you may be a bum out in the real world, but on The Nickel, everyone's a champ.
This reminds me so much of the Wire - corner boys in season four - although the "nickel" probably does refer more to money begged for / found rather than "earned". But the feeling is just right.
This reminds me so much of the Wire - corner boys in season four - although the "nickel" probably does refer more to money begged for / found rather than "earned". But the feeling is just right.
To me, that line has a double meaning. He is talking to someone in the song, a young companion of some sort? The child is "On the Nickel," which is the skid row area of Los Angeles (the Nickel=5th Street area). It's a movie from 1981, starring Ralph Waite (papa Walton). I believe this song is featured in the movie.
To me, that line has a double meaning. He is talking to someone in the song, a young companion of some sort? The child is "On the Nickel," which is the skid row area of Los Angeles (the Nickel=5th Street area). It's a movie from 1981, starring Ralph Waite (papa Walton). I believe this song is featured in the movie.
Anyway, to get back to the double meaning, the "pair" he is referring to is his companion on the street and himself. Nothing beats the two of them together, not even a royal flush. It's...
Anyway, to get back to the double meaning, the "pair" he is referring to is his companion on the street and himself. Nothing beats the two of them together, not even a royal flush. It's a beautiful allusion.
I agree, Martin. Although I take it more generally: On "the nickel" (5th street), having a friend, someone who's got your back -- being a "pair" -- beats a Royal flush. The movie as I understand (haven't been able to find it) is mostly about a friendship between 2 derelicts on the Nickel, even after one cleans up and gets out. I don't think there's a specific child in the song -- the references to "all the little boys" -- the kids that didn't get taken care of, are the ones that end up in addiction...
I agree, Martin. Although I take it more generally: On "the nickel" (5th street), having a friend, someone who's got your back -- being a "pair" -- beats a Royal flush. The movie as I understand (haven't been able to find it) is mostly about a friendship between 2 derelicts on the Nickel, even after one cleans up and gets out. I don't think there's a specific child in the song -- the references to "all the little boys" -- the kids that didn't get taken care of, are the ones that end up in addiction in places like the Nickel. That's my take , anyway.
And if anyone knows where I can find this movie, let me know (Amazon says it's no longer available, even the re-issue)
I especially love the line "And i know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair". To me, this means that The Nickel is a special sort of place where the normal rules don't apply - you may be a bum out in the real world, but on The Nickel, everyone's a champ.
This reminds me so much of the Wire - corner boys in season four - although the "nickel" probably does refer more to money begged for / found rather than "earned". But the feeling is just right.
This reminds me so much of the Wire - corner boys in season four - although the "nickel" probably does refer more to money begged for / found rather than "earned". But the feeling is just right.
Twain,
Twain,
To me, that line has a double meaning. He is talking to someone in the song, a young companion of some sort? The child is "On the Nickel," which is the skid row area of Los Angeles (the Nickel=5th Street area). It's a movie from 1981, starring Ralph Waite (papa Walton). I believe this song is featured in the movie.
To me, that line has a double meaning. He is talking to someone in the song, a young companion of some sort? The child is "On the Nickel," which is the skid row area of Los Angeles (the Nickel=5th Street area). It's a movie from 1981, starring Ralph Waite (papa Walton). I believe this song is featured in the movie.
Anyway, to get back to the double meaning, the "pair" he is referring to is his companion on the street and himself. Nothing beats the two of them together, not even a royal flush. It's...
Anyway, to get back to the double meaning, the "pair" he is referring to is his companion on the street and himself. Nothing beats the two of them together, not even a royal flush. It's a beautiful allusion.
I agree, Martin. Although I take it more generally: On "the nickel" (5th street), having a friend, someone who's got your back -- being a "pair" -- beats a Royal flush. The movie as I understand (haven't been able to find it) is mostly about a friendship between 2 derelicts on the Nickel, even after one cleans up and gets out. I don't think there's a specific child in the song -- the references to "all the little boys" -- the kids that didn't get taken care of, are the ones that end up in addiction...
I agree, Martin. Although I take it more generally: On "the nickel" (5th street), having a friend, someone who's got your back -- being a "pair" -- beats a Royal flush. The movie as I understand (haven't been able to find it) is mostly about a friendship between 2 derelicts on the Nickel, even after one cleans up and gets out. I don't think there's a specific child in the song -- the references to "all the little boys" -- the kids that didn't get taken care of, are the ones that end up in addiction in places like the Nickel. That's my take , anyway. And if anyone knows where I can find this movie, let me know (Amazon says it's no longer available, even the re-issue)
@twain It's like the old hobo song "Big Rock Candy Mountain"
@twain It's like the old hobo song "Big Rock Candy Mountain"