idiom in a song

[cmic]

Hello.

I'm learning the american song "Kicking mule" that is said to have many meanings.
Context of the song: the story takes place in a picnic, there is a kickin' mule, etc.

Exerpt
...
Biscuits in the oven was a baking
Was a beefsteak fryin' in the pan
Pretty girl settin' in the parlor
Lord God Amighty what a hand I stand!
...

1- I don't understand what the pretty gril is doing. Nonsense ?
2- I don't understand "What a hand I stand"

TYA
--
michel marcon (aka cmic) banjo player and ..singer

[Tdol]

1 She is sitting not setting according to this version, though it could simply be an alternative spelling of sitting. Kickin' Mule | Bluegrass Lyrics
2 A hand is a set of cards- I think the person has a difficult hand (is in a difficult situation) because he has all these good things nearby, but he doesn't even have time too kiss the girl because of the trouble the mule is causing.

[cmic]

Hello

1 She is sitting not setting according to this version, though it could simply be an alternative spelling of sitting. (cf link)

OK I get it. May the this version (of Art Rosenbaum, an American banjoist) is bit distorted.

2 A hand is a set of cards- I think the person has a difficult hand (is in a difficult situation) because he has all these good things nearby, but he doesn't even have time too kiss the girl because of the trouble the mule is causing.

Whoa ! Great. Someone told me this song had a "double meaning". Your explanation comes in, and every thing is clear now. (I laugh)

Thanks ever so much.
--
michel marcon

[Tdol]

Setting is used in some regions instead of sitting, so Art Rosenbaum could be right- these songs were written down later, and different people could transcribe things differently, but whatever the spelling, it means sitting.