A Changed Man
Metamorphosis of a Soul: Ben Rogers' A Changed Man
Lyrics
first time he bought me flowers
First instance of receiving a gesture of affection, symbolized by flowers.
second time he bought me a ring
Second instance of receiving a more serious commitment, represented by a ring.
third time he bought me a sundress now I got a million kinds of fancy things
Third instance of receiving a gift, a sundress, indicating an abundance of material possessions.
first time I tripped on the front steps second time was the basement door third time it was freight train
Recollection of three distinct instances of tripping or stumbling, with the third involving a freight train, suggesting a significant and possibly dangerous event.
fourth time I'd say the whole thing over
Emphasizing a willingness to go through challenging experiences again.
he's a changed man he ain't the same man
Declaration of a transformed personality, indicating a positive change in the narrator's partner.
first child I miscarried
First experience of a miscarriage, a painful event in the narrator's life.
second was stillborn
Second traumatic event of a stillborn child.
third one he was healthy
Third pregnancy with a healthy child, but the child grows up resembling the partner negatively.
except he grew up just like his father before him
Highlighting the cycle of negative behavior passed down through generations.
first he said he wouldn't lay a finger on him
Initial commitment to refrain from physical harm towards the child.
second time he wouldn't lay fist
Commitment to avoid using fists in disciplining the child.
third time no belt nor bottle
Commitment to avoid using a belt or bottle in disciplining the child.
fourth time was the last time I'd grown tired of hearing
Expressing fatigue with the repeated promises, possibly hinting at a lack of real change.
I'm a changed man I ain't the same man
Reiteration of personal transformation, indicating a positive change in the narrator.
first shot grazed his temple
First instance of violence, a shot grazing someone's temple.
second shot went through his pleading hands
Second instance of violence, involving a shot through pleading hands.
third shot went threw his thick skull
Third fatal instance of violence, a shot through a thick skull.
sometimes it takes a bullet to get it through their heads
Reflection on the extreme measures sometimes needed to bring about change or understanding.
first time my son come visit
First visit from the son, implying a potential positive change or reconciliation.
second term in Kingston Pen 1982
Second term in prison for the son in 1982, indicating a troubled past.
third time he brought his sweetheart beneath her makeup I could see the bruises
Third encounter with the son, revealing signs of abuse in his partner.
he ain't a changed man he's the same man
Expression of skepticism about the claimed change in the son, suggesting a lack of genuine transformation.
he ain't a changed man
Confirmation of the skepticism, asserting that the son has not truly changed.
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