I read the ending as "There is gold across the river but I don't want none
I would rather be dry than held up by a golden gun
Saying 'work more, earn more, live more, have more fun."
I feel like the song's saying that across the road are the things we're all supposed to aspire towards, or are felt pressured to gain at some point, like the home and garden and the lover and wealth. I think the turning point in the song is where she says "Why I should please those that will never be pleased." I think the song is about saying stuff them all, stuff expectations and conventions; to be wealthy, to be hardworking, to be fun and to be entertainting! I think it's saying there's nothing wrong with being anything else, there's nothing wrong with being miserable! Nothing wrong with being dry! I think it's about not selling out yourself, your personality and individuality. Just be whatever it is you happen to be.
However, I do appreciate the double negative about the gold thing...
I read the ending as "There is gold across the river but I don't want none I would rather be dry than held up by a golden gun Saying 'work more, earn more, live more, have more fun." I feel like the song's saying that across the road are the things we're all supposed to aspire towards, or are felt pressured to gain at some point, like the home and garden and the lover and wealth. I think the turning point in the song is where she says "Why I should please those that will never be pleased." I think the song is about saying stuff them all, stuff expectations and conventions; to be wealthy, to be hardworking, to be fun and to be entertainting! I think it's saying there's nothing wrong with being anything else, there's nothing wrong with being miserable! Nothing wrong with being dry! I think it's about not selling out yourself, your personality and individuality. Just be whatever it is you happen to be. However, I do appreciate the double negative about the gold thing...