The Ballad of Arlo Jones
The Enigmatic Tale of Arlo Jones Unveiled in Kevin Morby's Melodic Journey
Lyrics
And this is the ballad of Arlo Jones
Introduction to the protagonist, Arlo Jones, setting the stage for the ballad.
He's someone you'd never think to talk about
Arlo is not someone commonly discussed or known.
And this is the ballad of Arlo now
Reiteration of the ballad's focus on Arlo.
He talked so loud
Describing Arlo as someone who speaks loudly.
He got iron around his mouth
Indication that Arlo has a tough exterior or possibly a rough lifestyle.
He was wild, he was wild
Repeated emphasis on Arlo's wild nature.
He was wild, he was wild
-One, he was my friend
Enumeration of Arlo's characteristics: a friend who faced a violent end.
Two, took a bullet to the head
-Three, he was my friend! Four, he was
-Oh, where is Arlo now?
Questioning Arlo's current whereabouts, suggesting a decline or difficult situation.
He's down so low that he cannot move around
Describing Arlo's current state as very low, possibly struggling.
Oh, but where was Arlo then?
Reflecting on Arlo's past, highlighting his intoxicated and flawed behavior.
He was drunk, he was a fuck, he was my friend
Further characterization of Arlo's past: drunk, reckless, yet still a friend.
He was wild, he was wild
Repetition of Arlo's wild nature, emphasizing it once again.
He was wild, he was wild he was
-One, he was my friend
Reiteration of Arlo's friendship and the violent end he faced.
Two, took a bullet to the head
-Three, he was my friend!
-Four, oh, where is Arlo now?
Continued questioning of Arlo's current location or status.
Five, he was my friend
Restating Arlo's friendship, the iron around his mouth, and his current immobility.
Six, he got iron 'round his mouth
-Seven, he was my friend!
-Eight, now he cannot move around
-Nine, he was my friend
Reaffirmation of Arlo's friendship, possibly in a retrospective tone.
Oh, ten, ten, ten oh, ten, ten, ten
Repetition of the number ten, possibly suggesting a numerical significance or closure to the ballad.
Oh, ten, ten, ten! Oh, ten, ten, ten!
-
Comment