Ironic Percussion

Is it possible to have such a thing as ironic percussion? I've just been listening to Leonard Cohen again. The thing I notice after all these years (probably thirty since I heard him last) is the arrangements of the songs. All sorts of interesting little snippets of instruments in the background. On "So Long Marianne", towards the end there is a littlepercussion accompaniment (snare? wash board? tambourine?) and there is a definite sneer in the way it's set against the music. i can't think of another way of describing it. What do you think?