Lottery
Elegy of Misfortune: Damien Jurado's Haunting Tale in 'Lottery'
Lyrics
Misfortune got you like a sickness
Misfortune has affected you profoundly, like an illness.
The saints and angels all agree
The figures of religious significance, saints, and angels, acknowledge the presence of trouble in your life.
Trouble sure as trouble sees it
Trouble is inevitable, and it manifests itself as perceived by those who encounter it.
I need it in writing to believe
You require tangible evidence or assurance to believe in the trouble you are facing.
To believe
Reiteration of the need for belief, emphasizing its importance.
The target was your heart in the beginning
The initial target of the trouble was your heart, and now preparations are being made for your burial.
Now they're digging soft ground for your grave
The gravity of the situation is emphasized, with the mention of digging a grave.
I hope the mourners will bring plastic flowers
Expressing a wish for mourners to bring artificial flowers to your funeral.
They'll drink to your death with pink champagne
Mourners are expected to toast to your demise with celebratory pink champagne.
Pink champagne
Repetition of the mention of pink champagne, possibly highlighting its significance.
Now I hear your widow crying
Reference to the sorrow of your widow after your passing.
Her weeping I made into this song
The mourning of the widow becomes the inspiration for the creation of this song.
It's popular with the disco dancers
The song is well-received among disco dancers, suggesting a blend of sorrow and danceable rhythm.
They'll play it on the radio all week long
Anticipation that the song will receive extensive airplay on the radio throughout the week.
All week long
Repetition of the expectation of the song's popularity over an extended period.
Misfortune got you like a sickness
Restatement of the profound impact of misfortune, comparing it to a sickness.
And the saints, the angels all agree
Reiteration of the acknowledgment of trouble by significant spiritual entities.
Trouble sure as trouble sees it
Reiteration of the inevitability of trouble and its subjective perception.
I need it in writing to believe
Reiteration of the need for concrete evidence or assurance to believe in the trouble.
To believe
Reiteration of the importance of belief in the face of misfortune.
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