Johnny Horton：Meaning of Old Dan Tucker Songmeaning

The song "Old Dan Tucker" is a traditional American folk tune that has been performed by various artists over the years, including Johnny Horton. The lyrics portray the character of Old Dan Tucker, a lively and eccentric old man. The song starts by describing Old Dan Tucker as a fine old man who washed his face in a frying pan and combed his hair with a wagon wheel. The lyrics also mention that he died with a toothache in his heel, which is a humorous exaggeration. The chorus of the song is a call to Old Dan Tucker, urging him to get out of the way as it is too late for him to have supper, as it is already over and dinner is being prepared. However, Old Dan Tucker ignores the call and just stands there looking. The second verse paints a picture of Old Dan Tucker arriving in town, riding a billy goat and leading a hound. The hound dog barks and the billy goat jumps, causing Old Dan Tucker to be thrown off and land on a stump. In the final verse, it is mentioned that Old Dan Tucker gets drunk and falls into the fire, kicking up a chunk of burning wood. He ends up with a live coal in his shoe, causing ashes to fly everywhere. Overall, the song tells a lighthearted and comical story of the eccentricities and misadventures of Old Dan Tucker. The repetitive chorus adds to the fun and sing-along nature of the song. It has become a popular folk tune, often sung at social gatherings or children's events.