I’ve been a Dead fan for about 25 years and for some reason today is the day (15 years after this post started) that Row Jimmy just hit me profoundly!
You’ve all touched on the greatness of this song and I love that everyone can interpret a song as great as Row Jimmy in their own way.
For me, it’s so simple. It’s timeless. The setting is definitely rural south, southeast or Midwest. River community. But it could be anywhere at anytime- although the language suggests early to mid twentieth century.
The imagery of Julie doing the Do-Pas-O below the levee is the ultimate multiple meaning and pinnacle of the song.
1) the innocence Julie has being young and not understanding how the world has so much power over her (and her people) that “they” can hold back rivers for their benefit, while the common folk get none. The levee just looms above and could burst and flood and crush everything!
2) or, Julie may just know what it all means and dances and mocks (and even taunts it) right in the face of it all!
3) but for sure, being poor shouldn’t rob you of your happiness. And maybe having half of what those in power have is a blessing.
In general, it’s the plight of the common woman and man. “They” are running the show and “they” can “tear the jukebox down” and “they” are making out at our expense. But we keep rowing. And we will get there!
I’ve been a Dead fan for about 25 years and for some reason today is the day (15 years after this post started) that Row Jimmy just hit me profoundly!
You’ve all touched on the greatness of this song and I love that everyone can interpret a song as great as Row Jimmy in their own way.
For me, it’s so simple. It’s timeless. The setting is definitely rural south, southeast or Midwest. River community. But it could be anywhere at anytime- although the language suggests early to mid twentieth century.
The imagery of Julie doing the Do-Pas-O below the levee is the ultimate multiple meaning and pinnacle of the song.
1) the innocence Julie has being young and not understanding how the world has so much power over her (and her people) that “they” can hold back rivers for their benefit, while the common folk get none. The levee just looms above and could burst and flood and crush everything!
2) or, Julie may just know what it all means and dances and mocks (and even taunts it) right in the face of it all!
3) but for sure, being poor shouldn’t rob you of your happiness. And maybe having half of what those in power have is a blessing.
In general, it’s the plight of the common woman and man. “They” are running the show and “they” can “tear the jukebox down” and “they” are making out at our expense. But we keep rowing. And we will get there!