Boathouse
Riverside Reflections: Noah Gundersen's Poignant Boathouse Tale
Lyrics
Boathouse, coming down the river
Boathouse moving downstream along the river
Boathouse, carrying my son
The boathouse is transporting the speaker's son
Boathouse, carrying his mother
The boathouse is carrying the son's mother, emphasizing her significance
You know she's the only one
Expressing that the mother is the only one
Caroline, my heart is aching
The speaker addresses someone named Caroline, expressing heartache
But I can't quit this town
The speaker is unable to leave the town despite emotional pain
Caroline, my heartless drinking
Caroline is associated with heartless drinking, possibly suggesting a troubled relationship
I can't quit this town
Despite the difficulties, the speaker cannot leave the town
So go on, wave goodbye
Encouraging Caroline to say goodbye
Haul out, packing up his suitcase
The son is packing his suitcase, preparing to leave
Haul out, crying like the rain
The son is crying like the rain while leaving
Haul out, screaming "this ain't living,"
The son declares that the current situation is not a fulfilling life
And I know you're right
The speaker acknowledges the son's perspective and agrees with it
Caroline, I've been wondering
Reflecting on why Caroline didn't choose a better man
Why you didn't pick a better man?
Expressing a sense of inadequacy compared to a hypothetical better man
Caroline, my Mona Lisa still can't match your smile
Comparing Caroline's smile to the famous painting Mona Lisa
So go on, wave goodbye
Encouraging Caroline to wave goodbye
Boathouse, coming down the river
Repetition of the boathouse imagery, indicating a cyclical or repetitive nature
Boathouse, carrying my love
The boathouse is now carrying the speaker's love
Boathouse, carry them to safety
Emphasizing the boathouse carrying loved ones to safety, away from the Mississippi mud
Up from the Mississippi mud
Reference to the challenging conditions symbolized by the Mississippi mud
For I lost my love
The speaker has lost their love
Comment