Lyrics
He grew up fighting for his right to speak
He faced challenges in asserting his right to express himself.
Rough and tough is just the way it was
The environment was harsh and challenging, and he adapted to it.
South street sure ain't what it used to be
The character reflects on changes in South Street over time.
Back then, you'd leave your feelings out to rust
In the past, emotions were suppressed and neglected.
It wasn't the lottery he'd hoped to win
Life didn't turn out as expected, and success was elusive.
They can't prepare you for that kind of thing
Life's challenges are unexpected and difficult to prepare for.
So he'd bottle it up
He kept his emotions bottled up.
Pour it out in a cup
Expressing emotions by pouring them into a cup.
It's always easier to swallow
It's easier to cope with difficulties when masked with substances.
As whiskey & water
Using a mix of whiskey and water as a coping mechanism.
He packed the war up tightly in his bag
He returned from war carrying its emotional baggage.
Headed home to make his love his bride
Returning home with the intention of marrying his love.
With callused hands, he built up all he had
Building a life with hard work and dedication.
Blood, sweat, and wit paired with a hell of a smile
Success achieved through effort and a positive attitude.
Shout and storm out to calm the storm inside
Dealing with internal turmoil caused by external pressures.
Can't they see how hard it is to provide?
Expressing the difficulty of providing for the family.
And he'd bottle it up
Continuing the pattern of bottling up emotions.
Pour it out in cup
Using the cup as a metaphor for releasing built-up emotions.
To stay strong for his son and his daughters
Staying strong for the sake of his children.
Whiskey & water
Reiterating the coping mechanism of whiskey and water.
...dulls the noise in his head
Describing how the mixture helps silence mental turmoil.
the things he saw, and what he could've said
Reflecting on the impact of war and unspoken experiences.
If he'd opened up, he'd let too much out
Fearing that opening up would release too much emotional burden.
Its too much now, too much
Conveying the overwhelming nature of the emotional burden.
Whiskey & water
Repeating the reliance on whiskey and water as a coping mechanism.
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