Owensboro
Owensboro Echoes: Struggles, Resilience, and Judgement in Natalie Merchant's Song
Lyrics
Well, I lived in a town
Introduction to the speaker's residence in Owensboro.
Way down south
Geographical reference, indicating the southern location of the town.
By the name of Owensboro
Naming the town where the speaker resides, Owensboro.
And I worked in a mill
Describing the speaker's occupation, working in a mill.
With the rest of the â??trashâ??
Referring to the mill workers as "trash," a label commonly used for them.
As we're often called
Acknowledging the derogatory term used for the mill workers.
As you know
Reflecting on the societal perception of mill workers.
Well, we rise up early
Describing the early and industrious start of the day for the mill workers.
In the morning
Emphasizing the hard work endured throughout the day.
And we work all day real hard
Highlighting the laborious efforts made to sustain basic necessities.
To buy our little meat and bread
Mentioning the essential items that hard-earned money is spent on.
Buy sugar, tea, and lard
Listing specific commodities like sugar, tea, and lard bought with the earnings.
Well, our children they
Observing the limited educational opportunities for the speaker's children.
Grow, grow up unlearned
Commenting on the lack of formal education for the speaker's offspring.
With no time to go to school
Highlighting the early engagement of children in labor instead of attending school.
Almost before they learn to walk
Expressing the swift transition from infancy to involvement in industrial work.
They learn to spin and to spool
Noting the specific skills acquired by children, such as spinning and spooling.
Well, the folks in town
Comparing the appearance of townspeople with the mill workers.
They dress so fine
Observing the fine dressing and spending habits of the town's residents.
And spend their money free
Commenting on the contrast in financial priorities between town residents and mill workers.
But they would hardly look
Noting the reluctance of townspeople to associate with factory workers.
At a factory hand
Highlighting the judgment based on appearance between different social classes.
That dresses like you or me
Stressing the disparity in acceptance based on clothing choices.
Would you let them wear
Rhetorical question regarding the acceptance of fine accessories by townspeople.
Their watches fine
Questioning the right to wear luxurious items for both mill workers and townspeople.
Let them wear their gems
Emphasizing the disparity in the possession of valuable items.
And pearly strings
Reference to elegant jewelry worn by affluent individuals.
But when that day
Addressing the inevitability of judgment on the final day of reckoning.
Of judgement comes
Anticipating the need for the wealthy to share their possessions on judgment day.
They'll have to share
Emphasizing the requirement for the affluent to distribute their belongings.
Their pretty things
Highlighting the contrast between materialism and spiritual values.
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