Meanest Man
Unleashing the Meanest Man: A Tale of Temptation and Redemption
Lyrics
If the folks next door to me weren't so good
If my neighbors weren't good, I would do mean things.
I'd do all the mean things anybody could
Expressing a willingness to engage in malicious actions.
I'd drink and I'd gamble and I'd louse around
Describing a life of drinking, gambling, and idleness.
I'd be the meanest man in this whole town
Aspires to be the meanest person in town.
If I hadn't seen the light in that old lady's eyes
Refers to a positive experience with an old lady.
I'd try to be a man you would hate and despise
Without positive influence, would embrace negative qualities.
I'd rave and I'd rant and I'd scream and yell
Expressing a desire to behave aggressively and negatively.
And I'd chase my neighbors from here to hell
Willingness to harm neighbors and cause trouble.
If I hadn't heard those kids laugh playing games
Positive experiences with kids laughing prevent insanity.
I'd have nervous fits, I'd go insane
Without positive influence, would engage in harmful activities.
I'd turpentine cats and tin can dogs
Describes extreme and cruel actions towards animals.
I'd smother people to death inside of hollow logs
Expresses a willingness to harm people in unusual ways.
If the people around me wasn't so nice
Grateful for the kindness of people around the speaker.
I'd freeze my heart into a cake of ice
Without positive influence, would become cold and heartless.
Steal money from soldiers and working folks too
Desires to steal from soldiers and take advantage of others.
I'd lend you a dollar and take back two
Expresses a willingness to exploit others financially.
If my wife didn't kiss me the way she does
Appreciates the love from the wife, preventing violent tendencies.
I'd carry four or five daggers and three or four guns
Without love, would resort to carrying weapons and illegal activities.
I'd shoot craps and ramble and hang out late
Describes a life of negative behaviors without positive influences.
I'd steal baby buggies and Cadillac Eights
Lists criminal activities like stealing and grand theft auto.
If my friends didn't write me those letters I get
Grateful for supportive friends, preventing dictatorial tendencies.
I'd be a dictator, the worse one yet
Expresses a desire for power and control without friends' influence.
I'd be the only smart bird, you'd all be fools
Claims intelligence and the intention to manipulate others.
Send you all away to war and I'd stay home and rule
Desires to send others to war while staying home to rule.
If it wasn't for them songs I hear you all sing
Grateful for the positive influence of songs heard.
I'd put a crown on my dome and I'd say I'm your king
Expresses a desire for recognition and power.
I'd kidnap some and blackmail others
Details malicious activities like kidnapping and blackmail.
I'd peddle black market stuff and rob sisters and brothers
Expresses a willingness to engage in criminal behavior.
If it weren't for your talking I hear on the street
Without external influences, would become an extremely negative person.
I'd be the orneriest man that you ever did meet
Expresses a desire to preach hate and engage in violent actions.
I'd preach the gospel of hate and I'd drink your blood
Extreme actions restrained due to the speaker's good upbringing.
But I can't be this bad because my folks are too good
Attributes inability to be completely bad to the goodness of family.
No I can't be this bad because my folks are too good
Reiterates the positive influence of family preventing extreme negativity.
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