Uncle Toad Said

[Peter Bro10]

Ok boys and girls, what is the social significance and ramifications of "Uncle Toad Said"?
I'm sorry, but it's been real quiet up here today and I got this song stuck in my head...

[Kelly Davis]

I think it's the simple story of a toad watching the world and making sure evryone is behaving themselves.

[Jesse Joe]

Peter Bro, cant help you here, but just wanted to tell you I almost took that, as a handle name for this Site. :)

[Peter Bro10]

Uncle Toad Said was one of those songs that when I first heard it, I did'nt care for it all that much. But as time goes by it growes on me more and more. Odd how that works sometimes! Same for Canary Yellow Canoe.
Who knows, perhaps if I get the chance to meet Gord someday I'll ask him.

[BendRick]

I liked "Uncle Toad Said" the first time I heard it. Maybe because I'm getting older, and I see young people making the same mistakes I did. For example the line "Kid stop drinkin' that brew, plan while you can or the joke's on you." Yes Peter, there is social significance in Gord's song; the man is about to turn 68 years old; he is trying to impart some wisdom here. We are honored to hear such a talented musician sing about his journey through life.

[Jesse Joe]

{Uncle Toad tucked in the compost pile
Out by the back door look at him smile
He said, kid stop drinkin' that brew
Plan while ya can or the joke's on you}

Hey Reno Rick, I had never saw that song as a message, to the young folks who like you said, still make the same mistake most of us made. Wisdom from the Poet Genius, what a guy, I just wish I was related to this Minstrel man. He keeps pushing my buttons, like Pamela Wallin told him.

Thanks for making me more aware of this song, Peter, and Rick. I like it better now too... ~Jesse~
;) :)

[ November 03, 2006, 08:28: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

[Peter Bro10]

I guess this is what makes exploring and discovering Lightfoot's work so enjoyable and just plain fun. That there is almost always more there than meets the eye.
Thanks, guys, for your thoughts here...

[Peter Bro10]

Well, it must be time to revive an old thread.... one of my favorites.
I stumbled across some explainations on the "biography" board on corfid's homepage. there it shed some light on this topic. I would assume it was Gord speaking, on each of the songs from "Painter passing through". Pasted below is the explaination...

"Closing the album is "Uncle Toad Said." "It's about the exuberance of youth, as seen through the eyes of a simple garden toad who's observing the goings-on of the young people living in the house that he lives behind-and they know he exists, too!" " end quote.

If this is in fact for real, and not some "commentator" speaking, then the grand prize goes to Kelly. unfortunately, the grand prize has no cash value.... sorry Kelly! just the warm glow of victory!!!!

a side note here: I always thought, until I read the lyrics, that Uncle Toad lived in the shade of a ukulele shack! what in the 'tarnation is a utility shack anyhow??? I always figured Uncle Toad liked to jam on his ukulele!!! lol

[Cathy]

A utility shack is a shed where you keep your lawnmower, rakes, hoes, shovels, etc.

What the heck is a ukulele shack?

[Peter Bro10]

Well, technically speaking, it's where you store your ukulele.... I think. You'll have to ask Uncle Toad!

[Cathy]

Well, I keep all my musical instruments in the spare bedroom, where it's nice and warm, and the humidity is a constant 55%. A ukulele shack in the wilds of Maine would be way too cold in the winter months!

[Peter Bro10]

Okay, point well made! but do you own a ukulele???
here in the midwest (US) we don't have "utility shacks" we have sheds.
Anyhow, whether Uncle Toad is really just a toad, or the personfication of an older generation... whether lives in the shade of a utility shack or whatever... It's a great little tune and I like it alot. Just look at my i-tunes counter!
Still waiting for Kelly to step foreward and claim her prize!!!lol