Folk Song
Pardon Me, Friend: A Melodic Reflection on Love, Fate, and Changing Times
Lyrics
Pardon me, friend
Apology for a mistaken identity
I have mistook you for someone else
Acknowledging the confusion and apologizing
You have his nose, yes
Noticing a resemblance in facial features
But not his shoulders or his hands.
Pointing out differences in physical characteristics
It was a strange dream
Referring to a peculiar dream influencing emotions
That taught my heart to love to hate
Expressing conflicting feelings of love and hate
Please pardon me, friend
Apologizing again, attributing fate as the cause
I am a victim of my fate
Claiming victimhood due to uncontrollable circumstances
Pardon me, friend
Repeating the apology for the mistaken identity
I have mistook you for someone else
Acknowledging the repeated confusion
You have his nose, yes
Noting a shared facial feature but emphasizing differences
But not his shoulders or his hands
Reiterating differences in physical attributes
Oh mama, when did life start to get you down?
Questioning when hardships began for a maternal figure
You look tireder than last I came into town
Observing the apparent fatigue compared to a previous visit
cre you holding up the sky for the sake of rhyme?
Suggesting a metaphorical burden and questioning motives
Singing your baby down with ‘this little light of mine'?
Wondering if maternal sacrifice is in vain, referencing a song
“Oh mama, he left his head for a piggy bank
Quoting dialogue about a departed person's remains
What's comin' out his ears, is it steam or change?
Questioning the significance of what is emanating
If change is all you need, I've got pockets full
Offering material wealth, but acknowledging its limitations
But change won't change a thing for your dampened soul”
Stating that possessions won't alleviate emotional pain
Oh drama, runnin' wild and steeped in sin
Referring to intense and morally questionable situations
Who offered you a hand, offered you the win?
Asking who provided assistance and victory in those situations
cre you tired from lack of sleep, or from sleeping in?
Questioning tiredness from either sleep deprivation or lethargy
Singing yourself to sleep with this little light of...
Suggesting a self-soothing ritual with a familiar song
Oh mama, when did
Repeating the inquiry about when difficulties began
Oh mama, when did
-Oh mama, when did life start to get you down?
Reiterating the question about maternal struggles
Pardon me
A general expression of pardon
Pardon me, friend
Repeating the apology for mistaken identity
I have mistook you for someone else
Acknowledging confusion in identity once again
You have his nose, yes
Noting a facial resemblance but emphasizing differences
But not his shoulders or his hands
Reiterating differences in physical characteristics
Comment