The Wall
Beyond Cell Block Ten: A Tale of Desperation and the Unyielding Wall
Lyrics
There's a lot of strange men in cell block ten
Introduction to the setting of cell block ten with unusual inmates.
But the strangest of them all
Highlighting the uniqueness of a particular inmate.
Was a friend of mine who spent his time
Reference to a friend spending time staring at the prison wall.
Staring at the wall
Emphasis on the solitary activity of staring at the wall.
Staring at the wall
Reiteration of the inmate's fixation on the wall.
As he looked at the wall
Description of the wall as strong and tall.
So strong and tall
Portrayal of the inmate's intense focus on the wall.
You could hear him softly curse
Expression of the inmate's frustration through soft curses.
Nobody at all ever climbed that wall
Claiming determination to be the first to climb the wall.
But I'm gonna be the first
Reiteration of the determination to overcome the wall.
I'm gonna be the first
Reaffirmation of the ambition to be the first to climb the wall.
Well, the warden walked by and said son don't try
Warning from the warden against attempting to climb the wall.
I'd hate to see you fall
Expression of concern for the consequences of attempting the climb.
For there is no doubt they'll carry you out
Indication that touching the wall will lead to being carried out.
If you ever touch that wall
Reinforcement of the severe consequences of touching the wall.
If you ever touch that wall
Reiteration of the warning against touching the wall.
Well, a years went by since, that's the truth
Reflection on the passing of years since the warning.
Well, a years gone (them mean bastards ain't they?)
Comment on the harsh nature of the authorities in cell block ten.
Well, a years gone by since he made his try
Acknowledgment of the time passed since the inmate's attempt.
But I can still recall
Recollection of the inmate's effort to climb the wall.
How hard he tried and the way he died
Description of the inmate's struggle and ultimate failure.
But he never made that wall
Confirmation that the inmate never succeeded in climbing the wall.
Never made that wall
Reiteration of the inmate's failure to reach the wall.
Well, there's never been a man ever shook this can
Assertion that no man has shaken the prison cell.
But I knew a man who tried
Personal knowledge of a man attempting the impossible.
The newspapers called it a jailbreak plan
Reference to the media labeling the attempt as a jailbreak plan.
But I know it was suicide
Personal belief that it was an act of suicide, not a planned escape.
I know it was suicide
Reiteration of the conviction that the attempt was intentional suicide.
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