I was just sitting here wondering, what's my number in that old goldfish bowl?
Yeah, I was just sitting here wondering, what's my number in that old goldfish bowl?
And when I heard my number call,whoo Lord, I couldn't feel happy to save my soul.
Everywhere I go, I see that same old 158.
Yeah, everywhere I go, I see that same old 158.
I know I'm billed out, baby,whoo, Lord, Uncle [….?] said, Bill, don't be late.
I've got my questionnaire, and I've found that old number of mine.
Yes, I've got my questionnaire, and I've found that old number of mine.
Now, I guess I better start moving.
Whoo, baby, there ain't no need to cry.
Oh, you young men, I mean, come on and follow me.
Yes, all you young men, now come on and follow me.
Now, American soldiers went before.
Whoo, Lord, now, boys, why can't we?
Yeah, I was just sitting here wondering, what's my number in that old goldfish bowl?
And when I heard my number call,whoo Lord, I couldn't feel happy to save my soul.
Everywhere I go, I see that same old 158.
Yeah, everywhere I go, I see that same old 158.
I know I'm billed out, baby,whoo, Lord, Uncle [….?] said, Bill, don't be late.
I've got my questionnaire, and I've found that old number of mine.
Yes, I've got my questionnaire, and I've found that old number of mine.
Now, I guess I better start moving.
Whoo, baby, there ain't no need to cry.
Oh, you young men, I mean, come on and follow me.
Yes, all you young men, now come on and follow me.
Now, American soldiers went before.
Whoo, Lord, now, boys, why can't we?
Contributed by Pluck - 2025/7/16 - 11:28
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I got a number and I got in line,
They called everybody's number,
but they never did call mine.”
La frustrazione , in quegli anni comune a molti altri suoi coetanei di colore ,di non riuscire a trovare un lavoro ,e la necessita' di trasferirsi altrove nella speranza di essere piu' fortunati.
Il protagonista si trova in una affollata sede di collocamento al lavoro paragonata con ironia ad una vasca di pesci rossi ( “…that old goldfish bowl “). e con un numero di chiamata evidentemente troppo alto per poter sperare che la sua richiesta di lavoro venisse accolta.
Una amara considerazione è il tema dell'ultima strofa che mi sembra di interpretare : quando si trattava di reclutare per la guerra giovani di colore i tempi di attesa,per la Patria , non erano cosi' lunghi come il nostro stava sperimentando per un lavoro per vivere.
NB. Fonte:Trascrizione da Turboscribe (testo passibile di correzioni)