joy to the world

[Nefertiti]

Hi there.

0. Is Jeremiah a person or an animal?

"I helped him a drink his wine."

1. What does the quote above mean? Is it a common usage?

2. What does 'joy to something or someone' mean? Is it a common usage?

"I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war."
3. What does 'bars' mean? Do you native speakers say 'throw away the bars'?

" I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shootin' son-of-a-gun"

4. What is a high life flyer? What is a rainbow rider? What is a straight shooting son-of-a-gun? Are all these common usages?

Thanks in advance.


mighty adv. (source: Encarta)
North America very much so: extremely or to a great degree
mighty fine

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The Song Three Dog Night Lyrics, Joy To The World Lyrics >>

[riverkid]

Hi there.

0. Is Jeremiah a person or an animal?

"I helped him a drink his wine."

In this song, he's either a bullfrog or a man who's like a bullfrog. Or there's some other significance that I'm not aware of. In the 60s, I just listened, Nefertiti, I never really analyzed the songs. I was too stoned. :> But I promise, I never inhaled.

1. What does the quote above mean? Is it a common usage?

We used to get drunk together.

2. What does 'joy to something or someone' mean? Is it a common usage?

It's not particularly common but "joy to the world" is fairly common. It's an Xmas carol.

"I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war."
3. What does 'bars' mean? Do you native speakers say 'throw away the bars'?

We sometimes use that for things that we see as useless, things that cause trouble, things that the world could do without. I always thought it meant taverns, drinking establishments, places you go to consume alcohol but that doesn't really jive with someone singing about sharing wine with Jeremiah.

Maybe it has some reference to military insignia as this was a 60s protest song.

" I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shootin' son-of-a-gun"

4. What is a high life flyer? What is a rainbow rider? What is a straight shooting son-of-a-gun? Are all these common usages?

A person who likes the high life, drinking, carousing, chasing the ladies/men depending on your gender and your proclivities. A rainbow rider would be someone who follows a path of fun, good, happy times, times that are colorful. Someone who tells you things in a straight fashion, an honest way.

They all could see use, but they're not as common as say, "I" or 'him'. ;)

Thanks in advance.


mighty adv. (source: Encarta)
North America very much so: extremely or to a great degree
mighty fine

_____________
The Song Three Dog Night Lyrics, Joy To The World Lyrics >>

#

[moggy]

Just a few comments on riverkids (Excellent) interpretation.

"joy to the world" He is wishing everyone happiness.

"I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war."
I suspect that the original text may have been "I'd throw away the stars and the bars and the war."

"Stars and bars" refers to the American flag, and he is expressing his desire to dissociate himself from it, that which it stands for, and to end the war.
Moggy

[Nefertiti]

Hi, both.

1. I think Jeremiah is a person. Can a bullfrog always have some mighty fine wine?

2. I've reheard the song a few times. Sounded the singer did sing 'cars' rather than 'stars'. Maybe 'cars' implies 'stars' in the song.

Thanks for the great comments.

[riverkid]

Hi, both.

1. I think Jeremiah is a person. Can a bullfrog always have some mighty fine wine?

In the 60s, Nefertiti, it was possible for a lot of impossibles to be possible.

[Ouisch]

I've read Three Dog Night keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon's autobiography, and he mentioned in it that the lyrics to "Joy to the World" made no sense to the band whatsoever when it was first presented to them, and they had no desire to record it. The record label felt sure that this song had the potential to be a hit, so they recorded it, and even after it hit number one on the charts they still derisively referred to it as "that damned bullfrog song."


And the lyrics are, in fact, "cars and the bars." This was 1971, when pollution and smog were on everyone's minds, and automobiles were the number one offenders in contaminating our Earth.

[amigos4]

Hi, both.

1. I think Jeremiah is a person. Can a bullfrog always have some mighty fine wine?

2. I've reheard the song a few times. Sounded the singer did sing 'cars' rather than 'stars'. Maybe 'cars' implies 'stars' in the song.

Thanks for the great comments.

Nefertiti,

Check the following website for additional information: Joy to the World (Hoyt Axton song - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Cheers,
Amigos4

[riverkid]

So what was Hoyt smokin'? Or imbibing?

[amigos4]

So what was Hoyt smokin'? Or imbibing?

Too much Canadian bacon!!!!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[riverkid]

Too much Canadian bacon!!!!

Cheers,
Amigos4

Could be, Amigo. Those nitrates can be wicked stuff.