Casey's Last Ride
Casey's Loneliness: A Subway Symphony
Lyrics
Casey joins the hollow sound of silent people walking down
Casey is part of a group of people walking silently, reflecting a sense of emptiness.
The stairway to the subway in the shadows down below
Describing the descent into the subway, symbolizing a darker, hidden aspect of life.
Following their footsteps through the neon-darkened corridors
Following the path of others in the dimly lit subway, suggesting a lack of individual direction.
Of silent desperation, never speakin' to a soul
Expressing a sense of silent despair, as the people don't speak to each other.
The poison air he's breathin' has the dirty smell of dying
The air Casey breathes is polluted, metaphorically representing a life tainted by hardship.
'Cause it's never seen the sunshine and it's never felt the rain
Describing a place that has never experienced joy or sorrow, emphasizing its bleakness.
But Casey minds the arrows and ignores the fatal echoes
Casey pays attention to danger but ignores the consequences, possibly indicative of resignation.
Of the clickin' of the turnstiles and the rattle of his chains
Mentioning the mechanical sounds of the subway, reflecting the routine and monotony of life.
"Oh!" she said, "Casey it's been so long since I've seen you!"
A woman expresses joy at seeing Casey after a long time.
"Here" she said, "just a kiss to make a body smile!"
She offers a kiss as a gesture to bring happiness to Casey.
"See" she said, "I've put on new stockings just to please you!"
The woman wears new stockings, trying to please Casey with her appearance.
"Lord!" she said, "Casey can you only stay a while?"
Expressing a desire for Casey to stay longer, indicating a longing for companionship.
Casey leaves the under-ground and stops inside the Golden Crown
Casey leaves the subway and enters a place called the Golden Crown, seeking comfort.
For something wet to wipe away the chill that's on his bone
Desire to alleviate the coldness in his bones with a drink.
Seeing his reflection in the lives of all the lonely men
Casey sees his reflection among lonely men, emphasizing shared struggles.
Who reach for any thing they can to keep from goin' home
People grasp at anything to avoid returning home, suggesting a lack of solace there.
Standin' in the corner Casey drinks his pint of bitter
Casey stands alone, consuming a bitter drink, detached from those around him.
Never glancing in the mirror at the people passing by
He avoids looking at himself in the mirror, possibly avoiding self-reflection.
Then he stumbles as he's leaving and he wonders if the reason
Casey stumbles, questioning if it's the alcohol or emotional pain causing it.
Is the beer that's in his belly, or the tear that's in his eye
Suggesting a conflict between the effects of alcohol and emotional distress.
"Oh!" she said, "I suppose you seldom think about me
A woman reflects on Casey's lack of thoughts about her, hinting at emotional distance.
"Now" she said, "now that you've a fam'ly of your own"
She acknowledges Casey's family but implies a sense of abandonment.
"Still" she said, "it's so blessed good to feel your body!"
Expressing the pleasure of physical closeness, contrasting with Casey's loneliness.
"Lord!" she said" "Casey it's a shame to be alone!"
The woman expresses sorrow at Casey's solitude, emphasizing the pain of being alone.
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