Roberta
Love's Equation: Exploring the Depths of Relationships in Frankie Ford's 'Roberta'
Lyrics
I ain't mad at you
I harbor no resentment towards you
Don't you be mad at me
Do not feel anger or resentment towards me
I ain't mad at you
Reiterating that there is no animosity towards you
So don't you be mad at me
Repeating the plea not to harbor resentment towards me
One and one is two
Stating a simple arithmetic fact, emphasizing basic unity
Two and one is three
Continuing the mathematical theme, reinforcing basic addition
I pawned my pistol I pawned my watch and chain
Expressing a desperate situation of financial distress, having to pawn possessions
I pawned my pistol I pawned my watch and chain
Repeating the desperation, emphasizing the act of pawning
I woulda pawned roberta but roberta cant start a name
Comic relief, suggesting a humorous impossibility—pawned items include everything but "Roberta"
going to the river where the water goes round and round
Heading to the river, a symbolic or literal journey
going to the river where the water goes round and round
Reiterating the journey to the river, perhaps seeking solace or resolution
If i cant find roberta gonna jump overboard and drown
If unable to find "Roberta," contemplating a drastic action like drowning
I wanna find my baby going away downtown
Expressing a desire to find a loved one in the downtown area
I wanna find my baby going away downtown
Reiterating the wish to find the baby in the downtown region
If I can't find Roberta,
If unsuccessful in finding "Roberta," contemplating a drastic action again
Going to jump overboard and drown
Repeating the contemplation of jumping overboard and drowning
Oh, I said I ain't mad at you
Reaffirming the lack of resentment towards the other person
Don't you be mad at me
Repeating the plea for the other person not to be angry
I ain't mad at you, child
Emphasizing that there is no resentment towards the other person, using a term of endearment ("child")
Don't you be mad at me
Repeating the plea for the other person not to be mad, using a term of endearment
One and one is two,
Restating the basic arithmetic fact, reinforcing unity
Two and one is three
Continuing the mathematical theme, reinforcing basic addition
Come on baby…
Encouraging the partner to join or follow, possibly towards resolution or reconciliation
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