Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Heartache Chronicles: Linda Ronstadt's Tale of Love's Rollercoaster
Lyrics
Well, I lay my head on the railroad track
Expressing vulnerability by laying one's head on the railroad track, suggesting a sense of despair or self-destructive tendencies.
Waiting on the double E
Waiting for a train (double E) to come, possibly symbolizing hope or a way out of the current situation.
But the train don't run by here no more
Realizing that the expected solution (train) is no longer available, leading to a feeling of hopelessness.
Poor, poor pitiful me
Describing the narrator's state as "poor, poor pitiful me," emphasizing a sense of self-pity and distress.
Poor, poor pitiful me
Repetition of the narrator's pitiful state, blaming boys for not letting her be at peace.
Poor, poor pitiful me
-Oh, these boys won't let me be
-Lord, have mercy on me
Seeking mercy and expressing sorrow, indicating a plea for relief from the distressing circumstances.
Woe, woe is me
-Well, I met a man out in Hollywood
Describing an encounter with a man in Hollywood, possibly portraying a negative or exploitative experience.
Now I ain't naming names
-Well, he really worked me over good
-Just like Jesse James
-Yes, he really worked me over good
Acknowledging the harm done by the man and comparing the experience to a "waring blender," highlighting the emotional turmoil.
He was a credit to his gender
-Put me through some changes, Lord
-Sort of like a waring blender
-Poor, poor pitiful me
Reiteration of the narrator's pitiful state, emphasizing the persistent interference of boys in her life.
Poor, poor pitiful me
-Oh, these boys won't let me be
-Lord, have mercy on me
-Woe, woe is me
-Well, I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
Narrating an incident with a boy in Vieux Carres, indicating another distressing encounter with someone who pleads for mercy.
Down in Yokohama
-He picked me up and he threw me down
-He said, "Please don't hurt me, mama"
-Poor, poor pitiful me
Repetition of the pitiful state and the plea for mercy, reinforcing the theme of constant suffering caused by others.
Poor, poor pitiful me
-Oh, these boys won't let me be
-Lord, have mercy on me
-Woe, woe is me
-Poor, poor, poor me
Continued expression of the narrator's pitiful state, highlighting the repetitive and ongoing nature of her struggles.
Poor, poor pitiful me
-Poor, poor, poor me
-Poor, poor pitiful me
-Poor, poor, poor me
-Poor, poor pitiful me
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