Dirty Old Town
Urban Dreams and Tempered Desires: Exploring the Depths of 'Dirty Old Town'
Lyrics
I met a girl by the factory wall
I encountered a girl near the factory wall.
I dreamed a dream by the old canal
I had a dream beside the old canal.
And I kissed my girl by the factory wall
I shared a kiss with my girl near the factory wall.
Dirty old town
Referring to the overall setting as a polluted or gritty place.
Dirty old town
Reiteration of the polluted or gritty nature of the town.
Clouds adrift across the moon
Describing clouds moving in front of the moon, possibly hinting at a somber atmosphere.
Cats are prowling on their beat
Indicates cats moving around on their territory or patrol.
Springs a girl from the street at night
A girl emerges from the streets at night, suggesting a mysterious or unconventional encounter.
Dirty old town
Reiteration of the town being dirty or contaminated.
Another dirty old town
Repetition of the negative qualities of the town.
I heard a siren on the dock
Referring to the sound of a siren, possibly indicating danger or unrest in the dock area.
I saw a train light the night on fire
A train's lights illuminate the night, suggesting a vivid or intense experience.
I smelled a spring on the smoky wind
A scent of spring is carried by the smoky wind, contrasting the industrial setting with a natural element.
That dirty old town
Reiteration of the town's dirty nature.
Dirty old town
Emphasizing the pollution or grime in the town.
I'm going to build a good sharp axe
Expressing the intent to build a sharp axe, possibly metaphorical for addressing problems or challenges.
Shining steel tempered in the fire
Describing a well-made axe forged in fire, suggesting strength and determination.
And I'll cut you down like an old dead tree
Expressing the intention to overcome obstacles symbolized by cutting down an old dead tree.
In that dirty old town
Reiteration of the dirty nature of the town.
Dirty old town
Emphasizing again the polluted or contaminated aspects of the town.
In that dirty old town
Repetition of the description of the town as dirty or unclean.
Dirty old town
Continuation of the refrain highlighting the town's undesirable qualities.
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