She Was No Good
Tales of Turmoil on Riverboats: A Melodic Odyssey
Lyrics
She could be no good, I'm telling you
Expressing a warning or judgment that she is trouble or morally questionable.
Gather round boys for a tale that is tragic and true
Inviting attention for a true and sorrowful story to be shared.
On the Mississippi riverboat, "Magnolia"
Setting the scene on a Mississippi riverboat named "Magnolia."
No one on board was smelling too sweet
Describing an unpleasant atmosphere on the boat with no one smelling pleasant.
That precious one must have been stamping her feet
Suggesting that an important person on board, possibly the subject, was agitated.
Dictating demands all well and fine
Indicating the subject was giving orders, but everything seemed to be fine.
A few rods west of the Bridgeport line
Specifying the location near the Bridgeport line where events are unfolding.
But the veil was drawn and the halo slipped
Describing a moment of revelation or truth where a deception is exposed.
Tippling tinctures and reciting scripture
Implies engaging in questionable behavior such as drinking and quoting scriptures.
Faces where slapped just as kid gloves were suffered
Describing a situation where confrontations happened despite attempts to avoid harm.
Vile threats were uttered and challenges offered
Noting the exchange of harsh words and challenges.
On the Cumberland riverboat, "E.W. Stephens"
Shifting the scene to another riverboat, "E.W. Stephens," on the Cumberland river.
Daggers were drawn on pistols pulled
Highlighting a tense situation with weapons drawn and tensions rising.
Staggering 'til dawn filled up with whiskey and rum
Depicting a night filled with drinking, especially whiskey and rum.
And several drunken musicians ran amok
Describing unruly behavior of drunken musicians causing chaos.
Rampaging with the crew around the deck
Portraying a scene of disorder and confusion on the boat deck.
And I received a blow that was unkind
Recounting a personal experience of receiving an unkind physical blow.
It turned my cheek to the color of gentian violet
Describing the effect of the blow on the speaker's cheek.
I wouldn't say that this journey had quite been the highlight
Expressing dissatisfaction with the journey, suggesting it wasn't a positive experience.
Of the all-American tour
Suggesting that the mentioned journey is not a memorable part of the American tour.
Teetering on the edge of war
Indicating a precarious situation, possibly on the brink of conflict or war.
Out of the genteel Northern prosceniums
Describing the theatrical setting in the North, possibly with fake sophistication.
Filled up with imitation Europeans
Referring to the pretentious nature of the Northern audience, imitating Europeans.
Down along the river of rough damnations
Describing a location filled with harsh judgments and condemnation.
By the blood-stained cotton and the slave plantations
Evoking a historical context with references to slavery and violence along the river.
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