Julie ( a child, I think) caught her pet rabbit by the scruff of the neck, demonstrating a confidence in handling animals that only comes from country living. She came back steppin' high, proud of her accomplishment. She told the rabbit not to run off no more.
Don't hang your head - Introduces a sad aspect. I believe the family is moving, being displaced from an area that no longer supports a simple life. At the end of the song, we find that they "tore the jukebox down," presumably because the town went to ruin, or wealthier folks were moving in. Not sure about "let the two times roll," but it sounds like some form of cheering up. The rabbit was the only animal she was allowed to bring, because rabbits are "portable."
Row Jimmy row - They only had a boat and were heading up or down river in their search for a new place to live their simple life.
Here's a half a dollar if you dare. Double twist when you hit the air - Simple pleasures. Julie is doing a dance at a stop along the trip. Her mother or father bet her a half dollar she can't do a double twist in the air. A way of keeping her spirits up.
Broken heart don't feel so bad - Something you might say to yourself when you are being uprooted, and forced to leave everything that was familiar. You aint got half of what you thought you had - Try to drop your attachments - the new place will be good, too.
Rock you baby to and fro, not too fast and not too slow - Again, words of encouragement, maybe this time between husband and wife. We have each other, and we'll take life at our pace like we always have.
The last verse reveals that they are on the move because their old way of life is being "torn down." They can't get by on two bits anymore - at least not there.
A song about a simple life and simple pleasures.
Julie ( a child, I think) caught her pet rabbit by the scruff of the neck, demonstrating a confidence in handling animals that only comes from country living. She came back steppin' high, proud of her accomplishment. She told the rabbit not to run off no more.
Don't hang your head - Introduces a sad aspect. I believe the family is moving, being displaced from an area that no longer supports a simple life. At the end of the song, we find that they "tore the jukebox down," presumably because the town went to ruin, or wealthier folks were moving in. Not sure about "let the two times roll," but it sounds like some form of cheering up. The rabbit was the only animal she was allowed to bring, because rabbits are "portable."
Row Jimmy row - They only had a boat and were heading up or down river in their search for a new place to live their simple life.
Here's a half a dollar if you dare. Double twist when you hit the air - Simple pleasures. Julie is doing a dance at a stop along the trip. Her mother or father bet her a half dollar she can't do a double twist in the air. A way of keeping her spirits up.
Broken heart don't feel so bad - Something you might say to yourself when you are being uprooted, and forced to leave everything that was familiar. You aint got half of what you thought you had - Try to drop your attachments - the new place will be good, too.
Rock you baby to and fro, not too fast and not too slow - Again, words of encouragement, maybe this time between husband and wife. We have each other, and we'll take life at our pace like we always have.
The last verse reveals that they are on the move because their old way of life is being "torn down." They can't get by on two bits anymore - at least not there.