Understand Your Man
Understanding Hank's Departure: Embracing Independence
Lyrics
Don't call my name out your window, I'm leavin'
Expressing the desire not to be called out, signaling the intention to leave
I won't even turn my head
Emphasizing the determination to leave without even looking back
Don't sent your kinfolks to give me no talkin'
Discouraging family members from attempting to persuade or talk
I'll be gone, like I said
Reiterating the commitment to departure as previously stated
You'd just say the same old things that you be sayin' all along
Anticipating the repetition of familiar and unproductive arguments
Just lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shut
Advising to stay silent and avoid unnecessary conflict
'Til I'm gone
Requesting silence until the departure is complete
Don't give me that old familiar cryin' cussin' moan
Rejecting emotional pleas and complaints
Understand your man
Highlighting the importance of understanding the speaker
I'm tired of you bad mouthin'
Expressing discontent with negative talk about the speaker
Understand your man
Reiterating the need for understanding and acceptance
You can give my other suit to the salvation army
Suggesting giving away personal belongings to charity
And everything else, I leave behind
Leaving everything behind as part of the departure
I ain't takin' nothin' that'll slow down my travelin'
Refusing to carry anything that may hinder the journey
While I'm untangelin' my mind
Stating the focus on sorting out the mind during the journey
I ain't gonna repeat, what I said anymore
Declaring the reluctance to repeat oneself in communication
While I'm breathin' air that ain't been breath before
Emphasizing the uniqueness of the speaker's experiences
I'll be as gone as a wild goose in winter
Using imagery to convey the swift and determined departure
Then you'll understand your man
Connecting the departure to the eventual understanding of the speaker
Meditate on it
Encouraging deep thought or reflection on the situation
Understand your man
Reiterating the call for understanding and acceptance
You hear me talkin'?
Asserting the importance of listening to the speaker
Understand your man
Repeating the plea for understanding the speaker
You remember what I told you?
Recalling a previous communication and the importance of remembering it
Understand your man
Final reiteration of the plea for understanding
Comment