The lyrics talk about being unable to bring material possessions with you after death, despite how persuasive one might be, as the boatman who escorts souls to the afterlife won't wait for them to bring their belongings.

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Meaning of "Can't Take It with You" by The Alan Parsons Project


"Can't Take It with You" by The Alan Parsons Project explores the theme of mortality and the futility of material possessions in the face of death. The narrator, portrayed as a humble servant, delivers a message about the impossibility of taking one's riches or possessions to the afterlife. The boatman symbolizes death, a universal force that does not wait for anyone, regardless of status or wealth. The repetition of "you can't take it with you" emphasizes the inevitability of leaving everything behind when facing one's final journey. The lyrics serve as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and the insignificance of material goods in the grand scheme of existence.