Real poetry - King of the Road, by Roger Miller (1965)

King of the Road, written and performed by Roger Miller, 1965

Trailer for sale or rent 

Rooms to let, 50 cents 

No phone, no pool, no pets. 

I ain't got no cigarettes 

Ah, but two hours of pushing broom 

Buys a eight by 12 four-bit room. 

I'm a man of means, by no means 

King of the road 

Third boxcar, midnight train 

Destination: Bangor, Maine 

Old worn out suit and shoes 

I don't pay no union dues 

I smoke, old stogies I have found 

Short, but not too big around 

I'm a man of means, by no means 

King of the road 

I know every engineer on every train 

All of the children and all of their names 

Every handout in every town 

Every lock that ain't locked when no one's around.

(Reprise)

A few weeks ago, I re-watched the Disney movie of Robin Hood, which features Roger Miller voicing the cockrell version of the Merry Man, Alan a'Dale. Miller whistles (etc.- seemingly with Phil Harris) the tune accompanying the excellent introductory animation, and a terrific song "Not in Nottingham" (from 1:13). 

This set me going back to re-listen to Miller's famous King of the Road, which was a childhood favourite - getting a tremendous amount of radio airplay, even in England.  

I was struck by the tremendous economy and poetry of the lyrics; which makes for evocative phrases that (for me) create vivid pictures (e.g. the first three lines); open romantic visas (Third boxcar, midnight train. Destination: Bangor, Maine); and are humorously expressive of simple pleasures (I smoke old stogies I have found - short, but not too big around); and human joys (I know every engineer on every train, all of the children and all of their names). 

I am also very impressed by the way that the pretty-much one-word-per-note-per-beat of the first two verses; is later delightfully varied by syncopated triplets ("but-not-too", "ev-er-y/ en-gin-eer", "all-of-the"; and a 6/8 beat behind EV-ry-lock-that, AIn't-locked"). 

In the refrain, there is a sudden "turn" of mood, and up-lift between the down-beat "I ain't got no cigarettes" and the almost smug cheerfulness of: "Ah, but two hours of pushing broom/  Buys a eight by 12 four-bit room". 

And "pushing broom" is a wonderfully economical expression of the ease and carefree quality of life of which the singer is boasting!  

Altogether a little masterpiece!