A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Rollergirl on October 30, 2009, 10:09:41 PM

Title: Old pigweed
Post by: Rollergirl on October 30, 2009, 10:09:41 PM
Never really paid attention to this song (the last one on an album which is my second least favourite) but I started to learn playing it on the guitar (I know all the chords...) and started to listen to the lyrics. Very deep (unless it's about soup).
No idea what it's about (unless it's about soup). What's your interpretation of that one? Discuss.
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Pottel on October 30, 2009, 11:05:22 PM
always been my favorite ragpicker song, and that is my favorite solo album..
although get lucky is a strong contender
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Rollergirl on October 30, 2009, 11:14:19 PM
I have never really got into that album, but it can still happen! In fact it's happening right now!
and Get lucky is my favourite, no contest!
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Mossguitar on October 30, 2009, 11:44:28 PM
Old Pigweed is one of his best songs ever, IMO. And the slide guitar is magic! Love that album (too ;D)
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: superval99 on October 31, 2009, 09:20:40 AM
RPD has been my favourite solo album too, but is now equal with GL.  Love "Old Pigweed"!    :)
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Rollergirl on October 31, 2009, 06:21:04 PM
what's it about in your opinions though? Soup?
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Banjo99uk on October 31, 2009, 06:49:35 PM
I think he read a recipe for Mulligan Stew and something about having to put fresh pigweed in it or it ruins it.  Hence "who put old pigweed in the mulligan".  He then created characters and a story around it.  I may be wrong but I think it is as simple as that and doesn't have a double meaning.  

If you read the link below it explains why and the era pigweed was used in Mulligan Stew.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2009/03/27/eating-in-lean-times/
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: superval99 on October 31, 2009, 07:58:21 PM
I think it's a little play on life.  Everything is going just fine, just like making stew, then someone goes and messes it all up - puts a spanner in the works.  It's an analogy, stew/life, someone puts old pigweed into the stew instead of nice new pigweed, and spoils it all!  That's how I see it anyway!   ;D
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Mossguitar on October 31, 2009, 08:07:07 PM
Yes, I see it in the exactly same way as superval! It's about life.
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Rollergirl on October 31, 2009, 08:32:30 PM
so it's not about soup then  ;D

I have a similar interpretation, although more specifically, I feel it's about family and the fragile balance between members of a family which is necessary to make it work.

A real gem, in any case. I love it when it happens. You think you know every song by heart and know which ones you love and those you can skip, and then this happens.....
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: IrisRose on November 01, 2009, 03:43:27 AM
Pigweed grows in annoying abundance in my flower beds and garden every June and July.   It's easy to pull up, but there is so much of it.   I've never eaten any, but Old Pigweed tempts me to try.   The species with the red flower head that grows upright, then droops from its own weight is a cultivated flower with the old fashioned name of "Love Lies Bleeding."  There is also a variety with beautiful wine colored leaves and stems.   
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: jcser on November 12, 2009, 09:57:34 PM
I tend to agree with Val, although a lot of his songs seem to be philosophical and allegorical in nature. But then again, as I've said before, sometimes a ham sandwich is just a ham sandwich. :-\
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: GennT on November 13, 2009, 11:59:39 AM
I always loved Old Pigweed,such a great song.I love the part when he sings about "Goulash" which is a traditional dish in my country and it is very delicious.
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Pottel on November 13, 2009, 07:57:32 PM
you hungarian?
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: GennT on November 13, 2009, 08:04:50 PM
No actually I am from Albania which is in Balkans,"Goulash" seems to have the origin in Hungary (according to Wikipedia) but I think it has been around for a really long time in my country and the other countries around so we are used to eat Goulash often.I don't know if it is that popular in other countries thus Mark mentioning it in Old Pigweed.
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: ingridswing on November 14, 2009, 12:49:36 AM
In Holland we have it too!
Title: Re: Old pigweed
Post by: Fieneke2 on November 14, 2009, 04:31:13 PM
Hey Nat it is great to hear that you can play this song at the guitar. Do you have the chords for me?  Uuuhhh remember only the easy ones! ROFL

The RPD is one of my favourite albums also, just like Golden Heart and of course Get Lucky which is my number 1 album now! ;D

Fieneke