Heartland

I was thinking about the phrase "hand-me-down" in the song. Since english isn't my first language, I can't say I'm familiar with the expression. Does it mean something like "used goods" or "second hand" etc?

When a child grows out of his clothes, if it's a large family or they can't afford new clothes, the old clothes are given to a younger child, and can be known as "hand me downs".

How this fits in with the song I don't know as I haven't analysed the lyrics in great detail, although I know others will be able to write a thesis on it, noting all the literary references (most of which will be coincidental).

anyway, thanks for the explanation

Dan wrote:When a child grows out of his clothes, if it's a large family or they can't afford new clothes, the old clothes are given to a younger child, and can be known as "hand me downs".

How this fits in with the song I don't know as I haven't analysed the lyrics in great detail, although I know others will be able to write a thesis on it, noting all the literary references (most of which will be coincidental).

Only now that I'm 6'3" and I've outgrown my numerous relatives can I avoid it!

Hurray, thread necro!

"And what costume shall the poor girl wear? To all tomorrow's parties... a hand-me-down dress from who knows where..."

Nicely done!

So the lyric itself is a hand-me-down, heard before.

Cheers!
Although I doubt I'm the first to notice that, in the decades since the album came out
And is kinda notorious for quoting/twisting existing lyrics/prose/poetry.