The Devil Knew My Name
Dancing with the Devil: Unveiling the Mystical Tale in Anita Jane Paul's 'The Devil Knew My Name'
Lyrics
Howlin' winds to come
Anticipation of challenging times represented by howling winds.
Shoot the breeze, hit the drum
Engaging in casual conversation or making light of difficulties.
Midnight conversations on the telephone
Nighttime discussions over the phone.
Should know by now, leave well enough alone
Warning against meddling or interfering where one shouldn't.
Cause the devil, knew my name
A recognition that the speaker is known by the devil.
The devil knew my name
Repetition emphasizing the familiarity the devil has with the speaker.
Ohh the devil
Reiteration of the presence of the devil.
Knew my name
Emphasizing that the devil is acquainted with the speaker.
Your pearly gates won't let me in
A metaphorical portrayal of exclusion from a virtuous place.
You were sin
Reference to the listener as a sinful entity.
I lay awake in the dark
Nighttime contemplation in the dark.
Keys in my old zephyr rusting in the park
An abandoned car symbolizing neglect and decay.
Cause the devil, knew my name
Repetition emphasizing the devil's familiarity with the speaker.
The devil knew my name
Continued emphasis on the recognition by the devil.
Oh the devil
Reiteration of the presence of the devil.
Knew my name
Emphasizing that the devil is acquainted with the speaker.
The devil knew my tax file number
The devil is aware of personal identification details.
The devil knew my address
The devil knows the speaker's physical location.
The devil knew that I'd confess that
The devil anticipated the speaker's confession.
The devil knew my name
Repetition emphasizing the devil's familiarity with the speaker.
Heating up with your third degree
Intense scrutiny or interrogation causing distress.
And work me over, bring me to my knees
A metaphorical description of being emotionally defeated.
I can't figure how to keep me sanctified
Struggling to maintain moral purity or innocence.
And I tried, I tried, I tried and I cried
Efforts to resist temptation and emotional turmoil.
The devil knew my name
Repetition emphasizing the devil's familiarity with the speaker.
The devil knew my name
Continued emphasis on the recognition by the devil.
Ohh the devil
Reiteration of the presence of the devil.
Knows our name
Knowledge that the devil recognizes others as well.
The devil gives you fame
Suggesting that the devil offers fame as a temptation.
The devil's in the detail brother
Warning that the devil is present in the details of life.
The devil knows your name
Affirmation that the devil is aware of individual identities.
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