Factory
Rhythms of Labor: Unveiling Life's Struggles in Lucinda Williams' 'Factory'
Lyrics
Early in the morning, factory whistle blows
Starting the day as the factory whistle signals the beginning of work
Man rises from bed and puts on his clothes
A man wakes up and gets dressed for work
He takes his lunch and walks
He prepares his lunch and heads out into the morning light
Out in the morning light
Describes the routine of starting the workday
It's the working, the working
Highlights the essence of the working life
It's the working life
Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the working life
Through mansions of fear
References challenging and fearful aspects of life
Through the mansions of pain
Continues the theme of hardship and pain
I see my daddy walking through them
The narrator envisions their father walking through difficulties
Factory gates in the rain
Depicts the image of a factory and rain, symbolizing tough conditions
Factory takes his hearing
The factory affects the father's hearing, possibly indicating physical toll
Factory gives him life
Contrasts the adverse effects with the vitality gained from the factory
It's the working, the working
Reiterates the centrality of work in life
Just the working life
Summarizes the essence of the working life
End of the day, factory whistle cries
End-of-day whistle signifies the workday's end
Men walk through these gates with
Workers leave with a sense of impending danger or trouble
Death in their eyes you better believe, boy
Suggests that someone might face harm due to the challenges of the working life
Somebody's gonna get hurt tonight
Forebodes a potential violent event after work
It's the working, the working
Reiterates the challenging nature of the working life
Just the working life
Restates the focus on the difficulties of the working life
Early in the morning, factory whistle blows
Repeats the morning routine, emphasizing the cyclical nature of work
Man rises from bed and puts on his clothes
Reiteration of the man preparing for work
He takes his lunch and walks
Repeats the lunch preparation and heading out for work
Out in the morning light
Reemphasizes the start of the working day
It's the working, the working
Reiterates the challenging aspects of the working life
Just the working life
Restates the focus on the difficulties of the working life
It's the working, the working
Reiterates the challenging aspects of the working life
Just the working life
Restates the focus on the difficulties of the working life
It's the working, the working
Reiterates the challenging aspects of the working life
Just the working life
Concludes by emphasizing the working life
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