Trying to Stop Your Leaving
Heartache on the Railroad: Dierks Bentley's Emotional Journey
Lyrics
Got a guitar
Expressing possession of a guitar
Got a guitar on my back
Carrying a guitar on the back
And I'm standin' on this lonesome railroad track
Standing on a desolate railroad track
Train's a-comin'
A train is approaching
It'll be here 'fore too long
The train is expected soon
But I don't think I can stop it with a song
Expressing doubt about stopping the train with a song
Girl, that's the kind of way I'm feelin'
Describing emotional state related to the impending departure
Tryin' to stop your leavin'
Expressing the difficulty of preventing the partner from leaving
Got a pebble
Having a pebble in hand
Got a pebble in my hand
Tossing a pebble into the Rio Grande
And I toss it out into the middle of the Rio Grande
Indicating the continuous flow of the river
But the river keeps runnin'
The river is unaware of the pebble and keeps running
Don't even know that I'm around
Feeling unnoticed despite efforts
I could throw a million more and not slow it down
Expressing futility in trying to slow down the river
Girl, that's kind of the way I'm feelin'
Reflecting emotions similar to the river scenario
Tryin' to stop your leavin'
Conveying the challenge of preventing the partner's departure
There's nothin' that I wouldn't try
Expressing willingness to try anything to change the partner's mind
If I thought it would change your mind
Conditionally attempting actions for a change of heart
But you don't love me
Acknowledging the absence of love from the partner
No, you don't love me anymore
Reiterating the partner's lack of love
And I know as soon as you walk out that door
Acknowledging the inevitability of the partner's departure
Train's a comin', river's runnin'
Reinforcing the imminent departure with the train and river metaphors
Train's a comin', river's runnin'
Repetition for emphasis on the unstoppable nature of events
Pain's a comin', tears are runnin'
Anticipating emotional pain and tears
Yeah, that's kind of the way I'm feelin'
Summarizing the emotional state in relation to the partner leaving
Knowin' I couldn't stop your leavin'
Accepting the inability to prevent the partner's departure
Comment