“Rocky Raccoon” The Beatles

Narrative Poem What is a narrative poem? Tell a story Have all the elements of a story Have a clear beginning, middle, and ending Characters, setting, plot, conflict

What you need to know about this poem/song before we listen and analyze it… It is important to pay attention to the elements of the narrative poem Remember that this poem has an allusion in it…not to be confused with an illusion Allusion: a reference to something from history that most people are familiar with and therefore, the poet doesn’t need to explain it The allusion here is to Gideon: “only to find Gideon’s Bible…”

So, who was Gideon? Ever been in a hotel room? Did you notice that mostly every hotel room contains a Bible? Since 1908, close to 1.5 billion Bibles have been placed in hotel/motel rooms by a Christian organization founded in 1899 known as Gideons International The goal of the group was to bring the Bible to people all over the world who may not have otherwise been exposed to it Since most people travel, it seemed wise to the group to place the Bibles in hotel rooms Gideon actually was a man who was “willing to do whatever it was that God wanted him to do”

“Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota there lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon…” (Stanza 1) “Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon And one day his woman ran off with another guy Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn’t like that He said “I’m gonna get that boy” So one day he walked into town Booked himself a room in the local saloon.” NOTES: We know the setting: Dakota, in the mountains… Rocky Raccoon= character, a young man Problem: Rocky’s lady has run off with another man! This man who stole Rocky’s gal, has punched Rocky in the eye- is that why he is called Rocky “Raccoon”? (Raccoons look like they have black eyes.) Rocky wants revenge- he walks into town vowing to get revenge on the other man and books himself a room at the local saloon…this is another clue to the setting- It’s the WILD WEST! Saloons and attached hotels were staples of the wild, wild west!

Perhaps Rocky’s saloon looked a little like this…

Stanza 2 “Rocky Raccoon checked into his room Only to find Gideons Bible Rocky had come equipped with a gun To shoot off the legs of his rival His rival it seems had broken his dreams By stealing the girl of his fancy. Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil But everyone knew her as Nancy. Now she and her man who called himself Dan Were in the next room at the hoe down Rocky burst in and grinning a grin He said “Danny boy this is a showdown” But Daniel was hot-he drew first and shot And rocky collapsed in the corner.”

The meaning of stanza 2… Rocky gets to his room, only to find the Bible Perhaps he was hoping his woman would be there, but she isn’t, she is with the other guy! Rocky was ready to shoot the other guy for “stealing the girl of his fancy”- the girl that he likes His “rival” or enemy has ruined his dreams by taking this woman We learn her name- Magil…and she calls herself “Lil”, but everyone knows her as “Nancy” She and her man are at the “hoe down” ( a dance) and he calls himself “Dan” Rocky bursts into the dance and warns “Danny” that he is about to shoot him But Danny is faster and shoots Rocky 1 st, as Rocky collapses in the corner Notice how Ringo (the drummer) mimics the sound of a gun shot with his snare drum to add to the mood and create imagery

Stanza 3 “Now the doctor came in stinking of gin And proceeded to lie on the table He said “Rocky you met your match” And Rocky said, “Doc its only a scratch And I’ll be better I’ll be better doc as soon as I am able.” Notes: A doctor is called in of course to assess and treat Rocky. The doctor was at the saloon and is drunk! The doctor presents Rocky with a grim situation- he tells him he “met his match” meaning he is going to die! But Rocky, responds by saying that it’s really nothing and he’ll be better soon.

Stanza 4 “Now Rocky Raccoon, he fell back in his room Only to find Gideon’s bible Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt To help with good Rocky’s revival.” Notes: Rocky, fell back on his bed in his room and he finds Gideon’s Bible. The poet alludes to the fact that Gideon left his Bible for Rocky, so that he may find God and be saved- especially since he just tried to kill a man! If Rocky can’t be saved, he may be headed for…

Wild West Jail