Old Northern Woman
Surviving the Minnesota Nights: A Tale of Resilience
Lyrics
A couple hours north
A location a few hours north is introduced.
There's a joint down by the lake
There's a gathering place near a lake.
Had another round
The speaker had another drink.
I was feelin' my heart ache
The speaker felt emotional pain.
Help me, please
An appeal for help as the speaker is at a loss for words.
I don't know what to say
The speaker is overwhelmed and struggling.
I can't handle this cold
The cold, possibly emotional, is hard to bear daily.
Every single day
The enduring struggle with cold or hardship.
Across the bar
A woman is noticed across the bar.
There's a woman sittin' all alone
The woman is sitting alone.
She looked me in the eye
Eye contact is made, and she greets the speaker.
Then she came to say "hello"
The woman initiates a conversation.
She said "Honey
The woman starts speaking, addressing the speaker as "Honey."
You really think your life is hard?
The woman challenges the speaker's perception of hardship.
Spend a couple of minutes
Advice to spend time in her "graveyard" to understand true difficulty.
In my graveyard"
A metaphorical reference to the woman's challenging life experiences.
"'Cause I'm an old northern woman
Identification as an old northern woman.
I lived through this shit once or twice
She claims to have endured hardships multiple times.
I'm an old northern woman
Reiteration of being an experienced northern woman.
I been runnin' from the devil almost all my life"
Expressing a history of evading challenges throughout life.
40 years ago
Introduction of a past event 40 years ago.
Her brother died in the war
Her brother's death in the war is mentioned.
She sold that plot of land
Selling land to work at a liquor store due to financial struggles.
Started workin' at the liquor store
A change in life circumstances.
She had mouths to feed
Responsibility for feeding others, with another baby on the way.
Another baby on the way
A difficult winter and bills to pay.
So the winter was long
Emphasis on the challenging winter.
And there's bills to pay
Financial obligations and hardships persist.
"I'm an old northern woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman.
These trying times have been here before
Acknowledgment of recurring tough times.
I'm an old northern woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman.
I never once complained but I always wanted more"
The woman never complained but desired more.
Then she grabbed me by my shoulder
A physical interaction where the woman grabs the speaker's shoulder.
Sat me down with her to pray
The woman invites the speaker to pray with her.
She said "Someday, when you're older
The woman shares wisdom about remembering her in the future.
You'll remember me
A promise that the speaker will recall her words.
You'll remember what I say"
Emphasis on the lasting impact of the woman's advice.
"I'm an old northern woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman.
I love these Minnesota nights
Expressing love for Minnesota nights.
I'm an old Northern Woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman with determination.
There ain't nothing gonna slow me down or take my rights"
Asserting resilience and determination.
"I'm an old northern woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman.
I love these Minnesota nights
Expressing love for Minnesota nights (repeated).
I'm an old Northern Woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman (repeated).
There ain't nothing gonna slow me down or take my rights
Asserting resilience and determination (repeated).
Cause I've been runnin' from the devil almost all my life
Further emphasis on running from challenges.
I'm an old northern woman
Reiteration of being an old northern woman (repeated).
'Cause I'm an old northern woman"
Final confirmation of identity as an old northern woman.
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