County Jail Blues
Freedom's Echo: Eric Clapton's Tale of Redemption Behind County Jail Blues
Lyrics
They picked me up,
Arrested and taken into custody.
Put me in the county jail.
Placed in the county jail.
They picked me up,
Repetition of being picked up and put in jail for emphasis.
Put me in the county jail.
Reiteration of the experience of incarceration.
They wouldn't let my woman
His woman is not allowed to post bail for him.
Come and post my bail.
Emphasizes the restriction on his woman's ability to help him.
Now I'm in prison,
Currently serving time in prison.
I've almost done my time.
Expresses nearing the completion of the prison sentence.
Now I'm in prison,
Reiteration of being close to completing the sentence.
I've almost done my time.
Reiterates the nearing end of the prison term.
They gave me six months,
Received a six-month sentence but had to serve nine months.
I had to work out nine.
Highlighting the extended duration beyond the initial sentence.
I know my baby,
Confidence in knowing his partner well.
She's gonna jump and shout.
Expectation that his partner will celebrate upon his release.
I know my baby,
Reiteration of anticipating a joyous reaction from his partner.
She's gonna jump and shout.
Expectation of his partner expressing happiness.
When the train comes in
Anticipating celebration when he is released and a train arrives.
And I come walking out.
Confident that his partner will be excited upon his release.
Take these stripes from around me,
Desire to be free from the symbolic "stripes" of incarceration.
Chains from around my legs.
Expressing the burden of physical restraints (chains).
Take these stripes from around me,
Reiteration of the desire to be free from symbolic restraints.
Chains from around my legs.
Emphasizing the burden of physical chains.
The stripes don't hurt me;
Indicating that the symbolic "stripes" are not as painful.
The chains could kill me dead.
Emphasizes the potential danger and heaviness of physical chains.
Comment