Bird on a Wire
Rivers of Retribution: Unraveling the Dark Tale of a Hangin'
Lyrics
By the rivers down south
Describes a location near rivers in the southern region.
There's gonna be a hangin'
Anticipating a hanging or execution.
He took the life of another man's wife
A man killed another man's wife, and the evidence against him is strong.
The evidence was damning
The proof is incriminating, making a conviction likely.
Let me simplify
Expressing the simplicity of the situation or the expected justice.
Justice will be served
Justice will be served for the crime committed.
Let no one stand in our way
Emphasizes determination to overcome any obstacles to justice.
Let no one be concerned
Encourages indifference or lack of concern from others.
In his eyes there was no regret
The culprit shows no remorse in his eyes.
But you could feel the snap of his neck
Describes a sense of sudden, violent retribution.
They had all been friends
The involved parties were initially friends.
The couple and this man
Details the relationship between the couple and the accused man.
And there was something wrong
Suggests suspicion or doubt about the given account of events.
With the story at hand
There is a perceived discrepancy in the story being told.
But I was blind with rage
The speaker admits to being blinded by anger.
And I was blind with hate
Similarly, blinded by intense hatred.
But now I had my doubts
The speaker starts to question the situation.
But now it was too late
Realization of doubts but too late to change the course of events.
In his eyes there was no more pain
The accused shows no signs of pain or remorse.
I think we'll have ourselves a hangin' again
Suggesting a repetition of the hanging due to perceived justice.
Like a bird on a wire
Metaphorically likening oneself to a vulnerable bird on a wire.
One day they'll come for me
Expecting consequences or retribution for one's actions.
But I have no fear
The speaker expresses no fear, believing in the righteousness of their actions.
I only did what I thought was right
Justifying actions as morally right, even if legally questionable.
Cast a stone if you dare
Challenges others to criticize or judge if they dare.
And so I stand alone
The speaker is now isolated in the face of a significant debate or trial.
Before this great debate
Standing before a great debate, indicating a legal or moral confrontation.
But beware my words
Warns of consequences as the speaker's fate is sealed.
As you seal my fate
The words spoken by the speaker may impact the final decision.
In my eyes there was no regret
The accused shows no personal regret or remorse in their eyes.
But you could feel the snap of my neck
Similar imagery to line 10, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Like a bird on a wire
Reiterates the vulnerability of the speaker, akin to a bird on a wire.
In his eyes there was no more pain
The accused feels no more pain, accepting the inevitable.
I don't think this brid'll fly again
Suggests that the situation has permanently damaged the speaker.
By the rivers down south
Repeats the setting near rivers in the southern region, possibly indicating a recurring theme.
They had a bunch of hangings
Refers to a history of hangings in the specified location.
They took the lives of everyone there
Highlighting a brutal history of multiple executions.
You know it was quite savage
Describes the savagery of the hangings, suggesting a lack of mercy.
But they were blind with rage
Similar to lines 15 and 16, describing the perpetrators' state of mind.
And they were blind with hate
The speakers emphasize their own blinded emotions leading to isolation.
And so I stood alone
The speaker stands alone, possibly reflecting on the consequences of their actions.
Like a bird on a wire
Reiterates the vulnerability metaphor, suggesting a continuation of the theme.
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