Primer Coat
Reflections in Primer: Unveiling Life's Colors
Lyrics
The old man's out by the swimming pool
The elderly man is situated near a swimming pool.
He goes there to think
He goes to this place for contemplation.
He talks on the phone sometimes
Occasionally engages in phone conversations.
Hardly mentions a thing
During these conversations, he avoids discussing much.
Said he needed it for his knees
Claims needing the pool for his knees, possibly for therapeutic reasons.
He used to swim back in school
He had a history of swimming during his schooling days.
Graduated in 84, quit drinking in 92
Graduated in 1984 and stopped drinking in 1992.
He used to call her a basket case for going on like she did
He criticized a woman, possibly his wife or partner, for behaving erratically.
The only girl of a foreman's wife, she'd never let him forget
A woman, possibly related to the old man, faced constant reminders of her father's job and its influence on her life.
It comes to women and they survive but when the same comes to men
Suggests that women tend to endure hardships better than men.
Someone comes for their babies, something dies there and then
When men face similar challenges concerning their children, something significant perishes.
Slinging gravel in parking lots and looking tough on the hood
Engaged in laborious work and projecting a tough exterior.
A girl as plain as a primer coat leaves nothing misunderstood
A comparison is made between a plain girl and a primer coat, indicating simplicity and clarity.
Her mother and I through trembling lips, a steady hand on his own
The girl's parents, with trembling lips, console a man with resolve but a heartache over lost rebelliousness.
The future of every rebel cause, when all the fight in him's gone
Anticipating a future where the spirit of rebellion is gone.
My sister's marrying in the fall and everything will be fine
The speaker's sister is getting married in autumn, expressing hope for a positive future.
Mama's planning the wedding, Daddy's planning on crying
The mother plans the wedding while the father prepares to express emotions.
She's slipping out of her apron strings
Indicates the sister's transition to independence.
You best leave him be
A warning against disturbing or upsetting the elderly man.
He's staring through his own taillights and gathering speed
He's metaphorically moving forward swiftly, leaving behind his past.
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