I Had a King
Echoes of Regret: Jackie Evancho's Melancholy Tale
Lyrics
I had a king in a tenement castle
The singer had a significant figure in her life represented as a 'king' residing in a modest dwelling.
Lately he's taken to painting the pastel walls brown
The king has started changing the appearance of the castle by painting the walls a less cheerful color.
He's taken the curtains down
He's removed the curtains, perhaps symbolizing a loss of privacy or openness.
He's swept with the broom of contempt
He's cleaned with disdain, indicating a lack of regard or respect.
And the rooms have an empty ring
The rooms feel hollow or devoid of warmth.
He's cleaned with the tears
His actions seem to be driven by sorrow.
Of an actor who fears for the laughter's sting
The king's actions are likened to an actor's tears, worried about the reaction to their performance.
I can't go back there anymore
The singer feels she can't return to that environment anymore.
You know my keys won't fit the door
Her keys symbolize access, but they no longer fit the door, indicating a loss of belonging.
You know my thoughts don't fit the man
Her thoughts or beliefs don't align with this person.
They never can, they never can
There's an inherent mismatch between her and the king.
I had a king dressed in drip-dry and paisley
Another description of the king's attire, now changed and indicating a mental shift in his behavior.
Latеly he's taken to saying "I'm crazy and blind"
He claims insanity and blindness, suggesting a disconnect from reality.
He livеs in another time
He lives in a different era or mindset.
Ladies in gingham still blush
Women in simple clothing are affected by his songs of conflict and indulgence.
While he sings them of wars and wine
The contrast between their world and hers is stark.
But I in my leather and lace
She feels unable to adopt the role or lifestyle he embodies.
I can never become that kind
Her identity doesn’t allow for such a transformation.
I can't go back there anymore
Reiteration of her inability to return to that situation.
You know my keys won't fit the door
Continued symbolism of exclusion with her keys not fitting the door.
You know my thoughts don't fit the man
Her thoughts and the king's persona are incompatible.
They never can, they never can
There’s an unbridgeable gap between her and the king.
I had a king in a salt-rusted carriage
Introduction of a different phase where the king is depicted in a deteriorated state.
Who carried me off to his country for marriage too soon
He hastily took her for marriage, indicating a rushed or ill-timed decision.
Beware of the power of moons
A warning about the influence or impact of the moon’s power.
There's no one to blame
No one is at fault or responsible for the situation.
No, there's no one to name as a traitor here
There’s no one to accuse as a betrayer or culprit.
The king's on the road
The king is away, possibly on a journey.
And the queen's in the grove 'til the end of the year
The queen remains secluded until the year ends.
I can't go back there anymore
Repeated sentiment of being unable to return to that past.
You know my keys won't fit the door
Continued symbolism of exclusion and disconnection.
You know my thoughts don't fit the man
Her thoughts and the king’s nature are eternally incongruent.
They never can, they never can
Their discordant relationship remains unchanged.
They never can, they never can
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