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Iwana
Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 31
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 Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject: Questions about King of the Road |
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Dear teachers
I have a couple of questions about the lyrics of "King of the Road".
Here are part of the song:
Third boxcar, midnight train
Destination... Bangor, Maine.
Old wornout clothes and shoes.
I don't pay no union dues.
I smoke old stogies I have found
Short but not too big around
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.
I know every engineer on every train
All of their children, and all of their names
And every handdout in every town
And every lock that ain't locked
When no one's around.
Q.1 What is "union dues" on the 4th line ?
The man seems to be a drifter,
but is he obliged to pay for union dues ?
Q.2 What is the meaning of "not too big around" on the 6th line ?
Does it mean "not so thick" ?
Q.3 What is "handout" on the 10th line ?
If it means a "flier", why does he have to know every handout ?
Q.4 In the last part,
he says he knows "every lock that ain't locked".
Does that imply he is a thief ?
I need your help.
Thanks in advance.
Iwana |
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Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:11 am Post subject: Re: Questions about King of the Road |
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| Iwana wrote: |
Dear teachers
I have a couple of questions about the lyrics of "King of the Road".
Here are part of the song:
Third boxcar, midnight train
Destination... Bangor, Maine.
Old wornout clothes and shoes.
I don't pay no union dues.
I smoke old stogies I have found
Short but not too big around
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.
I know every engineer on every train
All of their children, and all of their names
And every handdout in every town
And every lock that ain't locked
When no one's around.
Q.1 What is "union dues" on the 4th line ?
The man seems to be a drifter,
but is he obliged to pay for union dues ?
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It says, "I don't pay no union dues." That is a dialect, but is not considered "good" English. Usually, we would say, "I don't pay any union dues." That means he does not belong to a union because he is a drifter.
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Q.2 What is the meaning of "not too big around" on the 6th line ?
Does it mean "not so thick" ?
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I think so.
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Q.3 What is "handout" on the 10th line ?
If it means a "flier", why does he have to know every handout ?
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There are places in cities where, if you are homeless or have no money, you can get some free food, blankets, coats, etc. This is called a "handout" -- perhaps because it is like putting out your hand, and someone giving you something.
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Q.4 In the last part,
he says he knows "every lock that ain't locked".
Does that imply he is a thief ?
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I think so. It sounds to me like he takes what he needs from wherever he can get it. |
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Iwana
Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 31
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| Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:32 am Post subject: Thank you very much, Lorikeet. |
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Thank you very much for you kind explanation, Lorikeet.
You are a great help.
Iwana |
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