Johnny Come Lately

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone observing a peculiar, perhaps older, figure referred to as "Johnny Come Lately." This figure is described as "weathered and dated," possessing "botanical leanings" and a "good spirit." The narrator repeatedly states that the person they are addressing would "hate" this Johnny, suggesting a stark contrast or disapproval between the two. The Johnny is presented as an outsider, someone who arrived late but made a significant impression, particularly with his gardening skills. The central tension arises from the narrator's fascination with and envy of Johnny's abilities and knowledge, especially his knack for making things grow "where the sun no longer shines." This implies a difficult or barren environment, both literally in a garden and perhaps metaphorically in life. The narrator admits to envying "the things that he spoke of" and "the things that he thought of," indicating a deep desire to understand Johnny's unique perspective and success. The recurring phrase "Johnny Come Lately" itself is key, highlighting his late arrival but undeniable impact. The narrator's repeated assertion that the addressed person would "hate me" if they knew about this fascination, or if they saw Johnny, suggests a hidden desire or a transgression against the addressed person's values or expectations. The chorus reveals the narrator's own attempt to learn Johnny's secrets, staying behind to "find out how to make a garden grow," but ultimately failing, casting seeds "on stony ground." This failure underscores Johnny's elusive mastery. He "never gave away the secret of his god forsaken soil," leaving the narrator, and by extension the addressed person, unable to replicate his success. The lyrics effectively capture a sense of longing for a lost art or a hidden wisdom, embodied by an enigmatic figure whose late arrival belied a profound, unshareable skill.