Lyrics
There was a dumpster in an alley
Describes the setting with a dumpster in an alley.
Looked like a black bear in the road
Compares the dumpster's appearance to a black bear in the road.
There is a stain of blood, a Sixers cap
Highlights a bloodstain and a Sixers cap, suggesting a violent incident.
And the stench of piss and beer
Evokes a grim atmosphere with the smell of urine and beer.
There was an outskirt's glow of lamplight
Describes a faint lamplight in the outskirts.
From a half a block away
Specifies the distance of the lamplight, half a block away.
And there was the ghost of greed,
Introduces ghosts of greed, fury, and fear, possibly symbolizing negative aspects.
The ghost of fury and the ghost of fear
Continues the theme of haunting emotions.
There was a charred spot in the gutter
Describes a charred spot in the gutter that becomes slippery in the rain.
That would slick up in the rain
Highlights a half-tin can with burn marks over the brand name.
There was a half tin can
Depicts windows covered with plywood, suggesting abandoned houses.
That been burned over the brand (name)
Implies permanence in closure with tall windows and plywood.
Tall windows paned and plywood, where houses closed forever
References persistent mosquitoes without the intent to land.
And the every night mosquitoes
Continues the mosquito imagery, emphasizing their nightly presence.
With no intent to land
Suggests a lack of purpose in the mosquitoes' actions.
There came an old dog with a bad limp
Introduces an old dog with a bad limp, embodying hardship.
He had a slow gait and a hunger
Describes the dog's slow gait and hunger, portraying struggle.
There was some pigeons on a wire
Notes pigeons on a wire, observing but unmoving.
And they were open-eyed and still
Highlights the pigeons' open-eyed and still demeanor.
There was an aura to the whole place
Evokes an overall aura, suggesting a sense of unease or foreboding.
Like someone else was lurking
Suggests the presence of someone else lurking, adding mystery.
Such is the history of where someone has been killed…
Concludes with a reflection on the history of a violent event in the location.
Comment