Song Meaning
This track paints a picture of a rather transactional and perhaps even cynical view of marriage, framed through the lens of a "shivaree" or "charivari" – a raucous, often mocking, public celebration for newlyweds. The opening verses set a tone of pragmatic acquisition rather than romantic union, with Mr. Rumson "buy[ing] a wife" and bringing her home, a transaction that's immediately juxtaposed with the idea that he "stayed drunk and horny" before, suggesting marriage is a practical, perhaps even less enjoyable, state. The chorus, referencing "Oh, Susanna," adds a layer of folksy, almost taunting, commentary on his supposed happiness.
The central tension lies in the contrast between the expected joy of a wedding and the lyrics' decidedly unromantic, almost crude, description of the event and the groom. The repeated "married today" emphasizes the finality of the act, while the question "What'll he do tomorrow?" hints at an uncertain or perhaps even bleak future. The "whoop-ti-ay" refrain, coupled with instructions to "Get the soap and water" and "Wash him down and flip him," transforms the wedding celebration into something that feels more like a ritualistic cleansing or even a hazing, stripping away the groom's former life.
The most striking craft element is the subversion of traditional wedding sentiment. Instead of blessings, there's a focus on physical actions and crude remedies: "sweet perfumer to dry his humor" and a "blue eyed wonder to pull him under." This imagery suggests a loss of control or a descent into something overwhelming, rather than a blissful union. The repetition of "whoop-ti-ay" acts as a mocking, almost aggressive, chant that underscores the unsettling nature of this "matrimony."
Ultimately, the lyrics derive their effectiveness from this jarring dissonance. They take a universally recognized life event and imbue it with a sense of unease and dark humor, forcing the listener to question the true nature of the celebration. The blunt, almost clinical, descriptions of the groom's "washing" and being "pulled under" create a memorable, albeit uncomfortable, portrait of marriage as a potentially burdensome, rather than purely joyous, transition.
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