[2][3] Lennon had written the first verse, when he was interrupted by some business people, and asked Nilsson to provide an "Americanism.
[4] In the line originally provided by Nilsson, life is described as "trying to shovel smoke with a pitchfork in the wind.
"[4] According to authors Ben Urish and Ken Bielen, the lyrics don't "make much literal sense but somehow sound right on an intuitive level.
"[4] Music critic Johnny Rogan finds the mood of the song to be "stoical rather than despairing" and describes the lyrics as laissez-faire.
"[3] Music journalist Paul du Noyer believes that Charlie Patton's "Ain't Goin' Down That Dirt Road" may have been an influence on the song.
[3] The country music feel of the song is more pronounced on the Menlove Ave. version, as Jesse Ed Davis' guitar part is heard on its own.
[5] The Menlove Ave. version also makes more transparent the influence of chain gang songs on the "cool, clear water" line.