Song Meaning
This song paints a picture of an aging crocodile, the "old crocodile," on the verge of getting married in two days. He's sitting by the riverbank, deep in thought, wrestling with the monumental task of choosing a wedding gift for his bride. The initial ideas – a brush, ribbon, and comb – are quickly dismissed as impractical for a crocodile, highlighting a charming disconnect between his intentions and reality. This sets a whimsical yet relatable tone for his pre-wedding jitters.
The core tension lies in the crocodile's overwhelming contemplation of the wedding preparations. He's not just thinking about the gift; his mind races through guest lists and the menu, debating between sweet and savory dishes, and even the dessert options like sausage, ice cream, or salted fish. The lyrics emphasize his deep thinking, repeating "sat, thought, and thought" and "thinking, crocodile, thinking," underscoring the immense pressure he feels to get everything perfect for his big day.
The most striking aspect of the craft is the juxtaposition of the mundane anxieties of wedding planning with the inherently absurd image of a crocodile. The repeated phrase "old crocodile" grounds the character, while his specific gift-finding dilemma – "Maybe bracelets, maybe a ring" – feels surprisingly human. The dismissal of the hairbrush, "She has no hair to comb," is a perfect example of the lyrical wit, using a very specific, almost childlike logic to navigate his unique situation.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their ability to evoke empathy for a creature typically seen as fearsome. The simple, repetitive structure and the focus on a universal human experience – the stress of planning a major life event – make the crocodile's plight endearing. The song captures that feeling of being overwhelmed by details, making the simple, repeated conclusion, "Old crocodile / It's so hard to get married," resonate deeply, despite the fantastical protagonist.
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