Cars and Refrigerators
Surviving the Scrapyard: Tales of Struggle and Hope
Lyrics
Daddy's out workin' but he'll be home later
Daddy is currently at work but will return home later.
At the yard he's scrappin' cars and refrigerators
Daddy works at the yard, dismantling cars and refrigerators for scrap.
He's cashin' in on some copper wire
He is making money by selling copper wire, claiming to have found it after a trailer fire in Redbird.
Says he found it up in Redbird after a trailer fire
The source of the copper wire is linked to a trailer fire in Redbird.
Now I ain't saying that theivins alright
The speaker acknowledges that theft is not justified, but some resort to it for survival.
But some folks do whatever they can to survive
People take extreme measures to survive when facing adversity.
Tryin' to find a way ahead when you's left behind
Struggling to progress in life is challenging when lacking education and facing mine closures.
Is hard when you got no schoolin' and they're closing the mines
Difficulty in finding a way forward when education is lacking and job opportunities are diminishing.
Momma stays home in a dirty trailer
Mom stays in a humble trailer, raising children and managing finances through coupon-cutting.
Raisin' babies and cuttin' coupons out of the paper
Mom is engaged in frugal living, cutting coupons from newspapers.
She had four more to follow after her first kid
Mom had more children after the first one, as having more kids results in increased financial support.
Cause the more youngins you got the more money they give
Financial incentives exist for having more children.
Now I ain't sayin' it's fair to be abusin' the system
It's acknowledged that abusing the system is not fair, but the money is crucial for survival.
But the money comin' ins the only thing that keeps 'em a livin'
Financial support is essential for their survival.
But a youngin comin' long just to get you a check
A child born merely for the sake of receiving financial aid won't have opportunities in a deprived environment.
Ain't gonna have a shot at nothin' when nothin's all that's left
In a situation with limited resources, there are few prospects for the children.
Brother pops pills like his back is broke
Brother abuses pills, possibly due to pain or a desire for a high, unable to legally smoke.
Cause he likes gettin' high but can't legally smoke
Brother enjoys getting high but cannot do so legally by smoking.
Worry and fear run through momma's head
Mom is worried about Brother, fearing he might end up in prison or dead.
Like if he ends up in prison or someone finds him dead
Mom is anxious about the potential negative outcomes for Brother.
Now I ain't sayin' it's fine to snort your life away
The speaker does not condone substance abuse but questions attributing addiction solely to personal choice.
But to say he's addicted by choice that's a bold thing to say
Addiction may not be solely a matter of personal choice.
How strong can something be to make you steal from your kin
Stealing from family due to addiction is a severe vice.
Well that's a hellish vice that I hope no one's ever caught in
Being caught in the vice of stealing from family due to addiction is a nightmarish situation.
Daddy's out workin' but he'll be home later
Daddy is still working and will return home later.
At the yard he scrappin' cars and refrigerators
Daddy is currently scrapping cars and refrigerators at the yard.
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