Devil on the Left
Dancing Between Angels and Devils: Jamie O'Neal's Delta Tale
Lyrics
Down in the Delta there's a tattoo parlor
Describes a tattoo parlor located in the Delta region.
With a black and white picture hangin' on the wall
There's a picture of a black and white stripper on the wall.
Oh, oh of a stripper
Emphasizes the stripper's presence in the picture.
The men are still talkin' 'bout the rainy night she walked in
Men recall a memorable night when the stripper walked in during rain.
Took off her shirt like it was nothin' at all
The stripper nonchalantly removes her shirt.
Oh, oh what a picture
Highlights the impact of the stripper's bold action.
Everyone assumed she'd been drinkin'
People assume she was drinking.
When she pointed to her shoulders
She points to her shoulders, indicating her tattoo plans.
And said, boys, here's what I'm thinkin'
Expresses the thoughts she wants to ink on her body.
Put a devil on the left, an angel on the right
Describes the internal struggle with a devil on the left and an angel on the right.
I'm already livin' in the middle of the fight
Already immersed in the middle of life's conflicts.
And round and round and round and round it goes
Symbolizes the ongoing and cyclic nature of the internal battle.
Part of me's in heaven, part of me's in hell
Expresses the dichotomy of experiencing both heaven and hell.
Part of me is strugglin' tryin' to find my way through life
Conveys the struggle to find one's path in life.
With a devil on the left and an angel on the right
Reiterates the presence of conflicting forces within.
Down in the Delta there's a rundown chapel
Shifts the scene to a rundown chapel in the Delta.
With a worn out floor where a preacher used to pray
Describes the chapel's worn-out floor from past prayers.
Oh, oh for the stripper
Connects the chapel to the stripper from the tattoo parlor.
While right across the street they were packed in tight
Highlights the contrast with a lively scene across the street.
Just a-pushin' and a-shovin', sweatin' by the stage
Depicts a rowdy crowd near the stage.
Oh, oh to tip her
Emphasizes the tipping tradition for the stripper.
She brought a lot of men to their knees
Her actions affect men deeply, but only one is concerned for her.
But only one of them was thinkin'
Reflects on a man's plea for divine intervention for the stripper.
Lord, won't you help her please
Prayer for assistance for the stripper.
She's got a devil on the left, an angel on the right
Describes the stripper with a devil on the left and an angel on the right.
They've got her dancin' in the middle of the fight
She's dancing amidst the internal conflict.
And round and round and round and round she goes
Reiterates the cyclic and continuous nature of her struggle.
Part of her's in heaven, part of her's in hell
Expresses the internal dualities she faces.
Part of her is strugglin' trying to find her way through life
Highlights the ongoing journey to find her path.
With a devil on the left and an angel on the right
Reiterates the presence of conflicting forces within.
In a cornfield in Kansas there's a little yellow house
Shifts the scene to a cornfield in Kansas with a yellow house.
With a white picket fence going all the way around
Describes the idyllic setting with a picket fence.
Oh, oh mama what's that on your shoulders
Questions the presence of something on the mother's shoulders.
No, no, no child, maybe when you're older
Mother dismisses the child's curiosity, suggesting understanding will come with age.
Now there's an angel on the left, an angel on the right
Contrasts the previous scenes with angels on both sides and a peaceful setting.
Ring around the Rosie underneath the open sky
References a childhood game, implying innocence and simplicity.
And round and round and round and round
Reiterates the cyclic nature of life and its uncertainties.
Round and round and round and round they go
Empty line, no specific meaning.
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