Sweet Corn
Railroad Blues and Cornfield Dreams: A Tale of Life's Toils
Lyrics
Four hundred and sixty-two coming down the line
Reference to a train, possibly numbered 462, approaching
Steaming like a kettle
Describing the train as hot and active
And the suckers on time
People waiting for the train are punctual
Waiting at the station with a friend of mine
Waiting at the station with a friend
Got in with him she left me behind
The narrator's romantic partner left with the friend
Sweet corn shuck and boil
Symbolic reference to the simplicity and pleasures of life
All my life been trouble and toil
Life has been filled with difficulties and hard work
Working like a dog on the old railroad
Working hard on the old railroad
Sweet corn shuck and boil
Reiteration of the symbolic reference to sweet corn
Miss Molly, Miss Molly she took me in
Introduction of Miss Molly, someone who provided comfort
With a halfway glance and a cigarette grin
Describing Miss Molly's demeanor with a quick look and a smile
Cornbread hair and a sapphire chin
Describing Miss Molly's appearance with unique features
Never loved nothing as much as gin
Expressing a lack of deep love for anything except for gin
Froze my bones on the corner pass
Describing exposure to harsh weather conditions on the street
Drinking liquor and smoking grass
Engaging in risky behaviors like drinking and smoking
Got a bad head and a cold in my chest
Experiencing physical ailments like a bad head and a cold
By the time they found me I was damn near dead
Narrator's condition deteriorating to near death
Comment