Charity Town
Charity Town Blues: A Melodic Tale of Economic Struggle
Lyrics
Monday they announced
Announcement of the closure of the paper mill on Monday.
They were shutting the paper mill down
The paper mill is being shut down.
Newsprint trading under
Newsprint is trading at a low price of seventy cents per pound.
Seventy cents a pound
Reflecting the economic challenges faced by the town.
Back in the day
Recalling the town's former positive reputation.
This place was renowned
The town was once well-known.
Now it's just a charity town
Now it has become a town relying on charity.
Nine hundred people let go
Nine hundred people have lost their jobs.
And there's no other work to be found
No alternative employment opportunities are available.
They put up a chain-link fence
A chain-link fence is erected, symbolizing closure.
And a sign just says to keep out
A sign instructs people to stay out.
There's nothing left for anyone here
There is nothing left in the town.
But a burial ground
Only a burial ground remains.
Nothing but a charity town
The town is now just a charity-dependent place.
Boarded up stores and donation cans
Describing the town with closed shops and donation cans.
Discount clothes from the Helping Hands
Discounted clothes are available from Helping Hands.
Salvation Army makes a final stand
The Salvation Army is making a final effort to help.
And there ain't no sign of Superman
No sign of hope or rescue, metaphorically referring to Superman.
It's hard and it's sad
Expressing the difficulty and sadness of the situation.
And it's real and profound
The situation is both real and profound.
The future's got plans
The future has plans and is serious about them.
And the future isn't fucking around
The future is determined and not to be underestimated.
The carey deck crane is
The Carey Deck Crane is removing the big letters sign.
Taking the big letters sign down
Symbolizing the erasure of the town's identity.
Down to a charity town
Reducing the town to a place dependent on charity.
I lie in bed thinkin' 'bout
Reflecting on family and home while lying in bed.
The kids and the house
A dream about the vulnerability of life and home.
Had a dream I was up in the air
Dreaming of being airborne and avoiding looking down.
Trying not to look down
The dream takes a negative turn, breaking everything.
Then everything broke
Feeling the sudden descent to reality.
I felt the rush of the ground
Waking up to the harsh reality of living in a charity town.
Woke up in a charity town
Repeating the description of the town's current state.
Boarded up stores and donation cans
Reiteration of closed stores and donation cans.
Discount clothes from the Helping Hands
Repetition of the availability of discounted clothes.
Salvation Army makes a final stand
The Salvation Army's final attempt to assist.
And there ain't no sign of Superman
Emphasizing the absence of hope or heroes.
Monday they announced
Reiteration of the announcement of the paper mill closure.
They were shutting the paper mill down
Repetition of the economic challenge faced by the town.
Newsprint trading under
Repetition of the low trading price of newsprint.
Seventy cents a pound
Recalling the economic prosperity of the town in the past.
Back in the day
Highlighting the contrast with the current state of the town.
This place was renowned
Reiteration of the town's past reputation.
Now it's just a charity town
Concluding with the present reality of the town as a charity-dependent place.
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