And I Went Down
Journey through Life's Shadows: Kelly Hahne's 'And I Went Down' Meaning
Lyrics
And I went down to the corner to the nickel and dime
Visiting a local store to seek affordable deals, possibly metaphorical for searching for value in life.
To try to get a bargain on the rest of my life
Attempting to find a bargain or meaning for the remaining years of one's life.
Down to the alley to the scene of the crime
Going to a location linked to a wrongdoing or difficult situation.
Down to the prison to do a little time
Heading to a prison, suggesting facing consequences or paying for mistakes.
And I went down
Repetition of going down, emphasizing a downward journey or a descent into challenges.
And I went down
-Down to the schoolyard to see children play
Observing children play, possibly reminiscing about a simpler time.
Envisioned myself there just like it were yesterday
Imagining oneself in the past, comparing it to the present.
Down to the tavern to drown in my pain
Going to a tavern to cope with emotional pain through alcohol.
Staggered back to hell by way of Memory Lane
Returning to a negative place or state represented by Memory Lane.
And I went down
Reiteration of the descent, indicating a continuous struggle or hardship.
And I went down
-Down to the river to watch water drain
Watching water drain, possibly symbolizing life's passage and inevitable changes.
Flowing into nowhere the level still remained
Reflecting on life's flow, acknowledging that certain aspects remain unchanged.
Down to my guru to have all this explained
Turning to a guru for answers, finding only confusion or madness.
Got there all I found was a man gone insane
Discovering the guru has lost sanity, possibly reflecting disillusionment.
So I went down to the chapel to hear myself pray
Going to a chapel to pray, possibly seeking redemption or solace.
I'll stand on the fifth come the Judgement Day
Committing to facing consequences on Judgment Day.
I don't know why it is that I feel so afraid
Expressing an unexplained fear and loneliness.
As I stand all alone in the cold pouring rain
Standing alone in the rain, symbolizing emotional desolation.
And I went down
Repeating the descent, reinforcing the ongoing struggle and challenges.
And I went down
-Down to the station to point fingers of blame
Going to a station to assign blame, possibly reflecting on personal responsibility.
Strange how one second makes a life's work in vain
Noting the fragility of life's work, acknowledging the impact of a single moment.
Down to the laundry to remove all the stains
Going to a laundry to remove stains, possibly cleansing oneself from past mistakes.
Blemishes are gone the image remains
Acknowledging personal growth while retaining the core image.
And I went down
Reiteration of the downward journey, suggesting a cyclical struggle.
And I went down
-Down to the lynching to see a man die
Witnessing a lynching, reflecting on the irony of taking a life for justice.
Funny killing one for taking another's life
Commenting on the paradox of killing in the name of justice.
Laughed, then I sighed, and then I started to cry
Mixing emotions—laughter, sighing, and crying—over a life taken through involvement.
At the end of his rope lie a noose I helped tie
-So I went down to the chapel to hear myself pray
Returning to the chapel, possibly seeking forgiveness or understanding.
I'll stand on the fifth come the Judgement Day
Reiterating the commitment to face consequences on Judgment Day.
I don't know why it is that I feel so afraid
Expressing unexplained fear persistently.
As I stand all alone in the cold pouring rain
Standing alone in the cold rain, symbolizing emotional isolation.
And I went down
Repeating the descent, emphasizing the continuing struggles and challenges.
And I went down to the corner to the nickel and dime
-To try to get a bargain on the rest of my life
Returning to the corner, possibly signifying an ongoing search for meaning.
Down to the alley to the scene of the crime
Returning to a place associated with wrongdoing or difficulty.
Down to the grave where sweet innocence lies
Going to a grave, symbolizing the confrontation with loss and innocence.
Down to the chapel to hear myself pray
Returning to the chapel, possibly indicating a persistent search for spiritual solace.
I'll stand on the fifth come the Judgement Day
Reiterating the commitment to face consequences on Judgment Day.
And I don't know why it is that I feel so afraid
Expressing unexplained fear persistently.
As I stand all alone in the cold pouring rain
Standing alone in the cold rain, symbolizing emotional isolation.
And I Went Down
Final repetition of going down, concluding the narrative of continuous descent.
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