I Built This House
Home of Resilience: Unveiling the True Meaning Behind 'I Built This House'
Lyrics
I built this house brick by brick
The narrator constructed this house gradually, brick by brick.
I laid the foundation to make it stick
They established the base of the house, ensuring its stability and strength.
You see them flowers in the yard? I planted em all
The flowers in the yard were planted by the narrator.
Watered the seeds spring til fall
The narrator diligently nurtured the seeds, consistently tending to them from spring to fall.
My love grew a garden while you hoed all over town
The narrator metaphorically compares their nurturing of love to growing a garden while their partner was busy elsewhere.
I built this house
Reiteration of the narrator's role in building the house.
I built this house (I built this house)
A reaffirmation of the narrator's sole contribution to building the house.
Stone by stone (I built this house)
Each stone was carefully placed by the narrator to construct the house.
Did all the heavy lifting that it takes to make a home (I built this house)
The narrator handled all the demanding tasks required to establish a home.
You know them children that we got? That you never see?
Mention of children shared by the couple, indicating their absence from the partner's life.
They love you a lot, but they depend on me (I built this house)
The children have affection for the partner but rely primarily on the narrator.
My love worked an eight-day week while you were nowhere to be found
The narrator put in excessive effort, working tirelessly while their partner was absent.
I built this house
Reiteration of the narrator's primary role in building the house.
I told that woman she can have you
The narrator informed another woman that she could have their partner.
I put your clothes into a box
The narrator packed the partner's belongings into a box.
Your big screen t.v.'s on the curb
The partner's possessions, like their TV, were discarded onto the street.
I already changed the locks
The narrator changed the locks to prevent the partner's return.
Cuz I'll tell you what
The narrator emphasizes that love and the partner no longer reside in the house.
Love don't live here anymore
The narrator affirms that love has departed, indicating the partner's absence.
And you don't, either
The partner is no longer welcome in the house.
Call your mama, call the law
The narrator advises the partner to contact their mother or the authorities.
Keep knocking til your hands are raw
Encouragement for the partner to continue knocking on the door.
I built this house (I built this house)
A reaffirmation of the narrator's effort in building the house.
Did my best (I built this house)
The narrator did their best to maintain the house.
I kept it clean for ya, but you made a mess (I built this house)
The narrator kept the house clean despite the partner's actions causing chaos.
All the vows we made and promises you didn't keep
Reference to unfulfilled vows and promises made by the partner.
Well, I'll burn this mother down
The narrator would rather destroy the house than allow the partner to make them look foolish.
Fore I'll let you make a fool of me (I built this house)
The narrator refuses to be humiliated by the partner's actions.
Call your mama, call the law
Repetition advising the partner to seek help from their mother or authorities.
Keep on knockin' til your hands are raw
A repeated encouragement for the partner to persistently knock on the door.
Don't let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya
A warning for the partner to leave without causing trouble or harm.
On your way out
A directive for the partner to depart without causing a scene.
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