The lyrics tell the comedic story of various characters encountering crocodiles by a river and engaging in a dance called the crocodile roll, leading to humorous and fatal outcomes for each character involved.

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Meaning of "Crocodile Roll" by John Williamson


The lyrics of "Crocodile Roll" by John Williamson present a humorous and satirical take on human interactions with nature, specifically crocodiles. The story unfolds as various characters encounter crocodiles in different scenarios by a river, leading to fatal outcomes as they try to interact or dance with the reptiles. The chorus repeating the line "doing the crocodile roll" emphasizes the absurdity of the situations and acts as a darkly comedic refrain throughout the song. The final verse introducing the crocodile roll as a new dance evokes the idea of embracing recklessness and taking chances, despite the potential dangers lurking around, hinting at the unpredictability of life. Ultimately, the lyrics challenge the notion of human dominance and control over the natural world, highlighting the consequences of underestimating or disrespecting the wild.