The Meanest Man In The World

Tom Paxton

Transposer:

[Verse 1] There was an old farmer in our town Beans in the kettle are boilin’. There was an old farmer in our town Beans gonna boil away. His beard was black his face was red Sand fleas flew around his head Nobody listened to what he said The meanest man in the world. [Verse 2] This mean old farmer took him a wife Beans in the kettle are boilin’. This mean old farmer took him a wife Beans gonna boil away. She was little and pretty and gay Never had very much to say. He threw her in the wagon and he rode away The meanest man in the world. [Verse 3] He scowled and he grumbled as they rode on Beans in the kettle are boilin’. He scowled and he grumbled as they rode on Beans gonna boil away. They rode home in the evenin’ sun The poor mule tripped and the son-of-a-gun Cracked his whip and said "That’s one!" The meanest man in the world. [Verse 4] They rode another mile Beans in the kettle are boilin’. They rode another mile Beans gonna boil away. The mule fell again and threw a shoe The farmer’s face was red and blue. He muttered under his breath "That’s two!" The meanest man in the world. [Verse 5] They rode a little further on down the road Beans in the kettle are boilin’. They rode a little further on down the road Beans gonna boil away. The mule fell again and the farmer said "Three!" Shot him dead and his poor wife she Protested to the farmer. "That’s one!" said he The meanest man in the world.

Du même artiste :

La chanson raconte l'histoire d'un fermier au caractère particulièrement acariâtre. Il est montré comme un homme sévère et désagréable, qui ne tolère ni la faiblesse ni les imprévus. Son épouse, bien plus douce et joyeuse, souffre sous son emprise. Au fil de leur trajet, les mésaventures de leur mule déclenchent la colère du fermier, qui, frustré par chaque incident, ne manque jamais d'exprimer sa cruauté, allant jusqu'à commettre l'irréparable. En filigrane, cette histoire met en lumière les conséquences d'un tempérament colérique et d'un manque de compassion.