Johnnie Comes Back
Johnnie's Return: A Struggle Against Demons
Lyrics
All last week and half of today, Johnnie has been a good little girl.
Johnnie, despite efforts, has been struggling recently but has been relatively well-behaved.
Trying to keep her devils at bay, watching her health return.
Trying to resist her inner struggles, focusing on her health's improvement.
But she always comes back for more, hanging her head and banging my door,
However, she consistently returns seeking more, feeling regretful and knocking at the speaker's door.
Johnnie comes back again.
Johnnie repeatedly comes back, suggesting a cycle of returning despite previous departures.
I said, Johnnie remember, oh, Johnnie be good, "Please give me some medicine, man."
The speaker urges Johnnie to remember to behave and asks for medication.
Oh Johnnie comes back again.
Reiteration of Johnnie's return despite the speaker's advice.
Where'd she get that tear in her eye?
Questioning the origin of the tear in Johnnie's eye, indicating concern about her emotions.
Whoever said she could leave me, where'd she learn to say good-bye?
Expressing surprise at Johnnie's ability to leave and say goodbye, questioning where she learned it.
She's been watching too much T.V., she only shows up for meals,
Johnnie's excessive TV consumption and only appearing for meals and material possessions.
my medicine chest and my automobiles. Johnnie comes back again.
She returns for the speaker's medicine and use of his possessions, reinforcing the recurring cycle.
I said, Johnnie remember, oh, Johnnie be good, "Please give me some medicine, man."
The speaker repeats the request for medication and advice to Johnnie.
Oh Johnnie comes back again.
Continuation of the cycle of Johnnie's return despite advice given by the speaker.
Me, I'm just an evil demon, I'm playing on her weakness,
The speaker sees himself as a negative influence, taking advantage of Johnnie's weaknesses.
counting on her sickness to bring her home again.
He relies on her illness to bring her back to him, emphasizing a manipulative aspect.
To use me up and to rob me blind, I guess it shouldn't surprise me.
Feeling used and deceived by Johnnie, though it's not unexpected given the circumstances.
Fighting and flashing like a fish on a line, my God, she must despise me.
Expressing a feeling of being disrespected by Johnnie's behavior, using strong imagery.
But she always comes back again, now it won't be long 'til she's gone again,
Predicting Johnnie's return shortly after leaving again, reinforcing the cyclical nature of her actions.
Johnnie comes back again.
Reiteration of Johnnie's repetitive return despite the speaker's expectations of her departure.
I said, Johnnie remember, oh, Johnnie be good, "Please give me some medicine, man."
Reiterating Johnnie's recurrent return and the speaker's request for medicine.
Oh Johnnie comes back again.
Reinforcing the pattern of Johnnie's return, echoing the title of the song.
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