Lyrics
She was born in an oil-drum South side of Chicago
Describing the birthplace of the character, born in a less privileged area of Chicago, evoking a sense of a tough environment.
When East St. Louis was not far away.
Referencing the proximity of East St. Louis, another area that might share similar challenges or difficulties.
She'd lace knives to her boots and go down to the riverbed
Describing how she would equip herself with knives attached to her boots and skate by the river.
Skate around and around till the night became day.
Implies she spent extensive amounts of time skating, possibly as a means of escape or enjoyment.
The cannery fellows would follow her everywhere
Men from the cannery were enamored with her and followed her wherever she went.
From the grocery store to the B.Q.E.
They accompanied her from various places like the grocery store to the B.Q.E (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway).
With their hearts all aglow from her icy back-at-you stare.
They were infatuated with her, but she maintained a distant and cold demeanor towards them.
When her teeth became tight when her eyes couldn't see.
Indicating a physical deterioration or a sense of losing control.
And she told herself that this was enough.
She convinced herself that her current situation was satisfactory.
For a girl who was born in an oil-drum
Reiterating her humble origins, highlighting a sense of contentment despite her circumstances.
She had her skates didn't need lots of stuff.
Despite having skates and not needing much, she still desired additional things.
She didn't need it but she still wanted some.
Despite minimal needs, she still felt the want for more possessions or experiences.
She had one thing that she liked and she kept around
She had something she cherished and always carried with her to the riverbed.
She would take it with her to the riverbed.
She took this precious item with her during her skating sessions by the river.
As she skated around she always thought of a pretty sound
While skating, she reminisced about a beautiful sound she remembered from her childhood.
That she heard as a girl in her mother's bed.
This sound had a significant impact on her, linking it to memories from her past.
The sound of some breathing another breath in and out
A description of the sound of breathing, perhaps symbolizing comfort or life itself.
When some lungs expand and contract like they do.
Describing the physiological process of breathing, a reminder of life's fundamental aspects.
And she looked at herself in the ice of the riverbed and
She looked at her reflection in the ice and saw a transparent version of herself, suggesting self-reflection or a feeling of transparency.
She saw a girl one which she could see through.
She perceived herself as a girl who was somewhat see-through or easily understood.
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