Understand Your Man
Unraveling Hearts: Eddy Arnold's Poetic Departure
Lyrics
Don't call my name out your window I'm leavin'
Expressing the desire not to be called from the window as the speaker is leaving.
I won't even turn my head
Emphasizing the determination not to look back or reconsider the decision to leave.
Don't send your kinfolks to give me no talkin'
Discouraging family members from attempting to persuade or discuss matters, as the departure is final.
I'll be gone like I said
Reiterating the commitment to departure as promised.
You'd say the same old things you been sayin' all along
Highlighting the repetitiveness of previous discussions and arguments.
Lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shot till I'm gone
Advising the partner to remain silent and reflect on their words until the speaker is gone.
Don't give me that old familiar cryin' cussin' moan
Rejecting familiar expressions of sorrow, anger, and complaints.
Understand your man
Encouraging the partner to comprehend the speaker's perspective.
Tidy your bad mouth and understand your man
Instructing the partner to control their negative language and truly understand the speaker.
You can give my other suit to the Salvation Army
Suggesting that material possessions can be donated, indicating a detachment from worldly belongings.
And everything else I leave behind
Expressing a willingness to leave everything behind.
I ain't takin' nothin' that'll slow down my traveling
Declining to take anything that may impede the journey or burden the mind.
While I'm untangling my mind
Stating the intention to focus on mental clarity during the journey.
I ain't goin' to reappear what I said anymore
Refusing to repeat previous statements, emphasizing a desire for a fresh start.
While I'm breathing air that ain't been breathed before
Reflecting on the uniqueness of the experiences and thoughts while on the journey.
I'll be as gone as a wild goose in winter
Using a metaphor of a wild goose in winter to describe the speaker's departure – untethered and free.
Then you'll understand your man
Connecting the departure to the partner's eventual understanding of the speaker.
Better tided understand your man
Advising the partner to better tidy up and comprehend the speaker.
Look out understand your man
Issuing a warning or expression of concern, urging the partner to understand.
Uh huh understand your man
Reiterating the call for understanding from the partner.
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