(define lst-ref
  (lambda (lst pos)
    (if (= pos 0)
        (car lst)
        (lst-ref (cdr lst) (- pos 1)))))

(define repetitions-of
  (lambda (copies item)  ; makes a list containing copies repetitions of the item
    (cond ((= copies 0)
           (list))  ; the (list) could also be '()
          (else (cons item (repetitions-of (- copies 1) item))))))

(define expand   ; we're still working on this
  (lambda (lst)
    (cond ((null? lst) '())
          ((number? (car lst)) (somehow-join-together
                                (repetitions-of (car lst) (car (cdr lst)))
                                (expand (cdr (cdr lst)))))
          ;some more cases?
          )))

(expand '(get a job sha 8 na get a job sha 8 na wah 8 yip sha
              boom))