The Rules of the Road
Navigating Love's Labyrinth: Decoding Shirley Horn's 'The Rules of the Road'
Lyrics
So these are the ropes
Introduction to the challenges and experiences represented by "the ropes."
The tricks of the trade
Refers to the techniques and skills involved in navigating life or relationships.
The rules of the road
Highlights the established guidelines or norms governing one's journey in life.
You're one of the dopes
Suggests that the listener might be naive or inexperienced in understanding these rules.
For whom they were made
Implies that these rules were created for individuals like the listener.
The rules of the road
Reiterates the importance of understanding and abiding by the rules mentioned.
You follow that kiss
Suggests a romantic encounter, symbolized by a kiss.
And recklessly miss
Caution against blindly pursuing a romantic interest and missing potential pitfalls.
A bend of the road
Describes a bend in the road, a metaphor for unexpected challenges in life.
Then suddenly this
Introduces a turning point that leads to the conclusion of a journey or relationship.
The end of the road
Symbolizes the end of a road or a relationship.
So love is a hoax
Defines love as deceptive or misleading.
A glittering string
Depicts love as an attractive but insubstantial thread.
Of little white lies
Suggests that love involves telling small lies or concealing the truth.
But these are the jokes
Acknowledges the humorous aspect of love's challenges.
And what if they bring
Raises the question of whether these challenges can cause emotional pain.
The tears to your eyes
Acknowledges the potential for tears or sadness in relationships.
Well love often shows a funny return
Comments on the unpredictable nature of love.
The brighter it glows
Suggests that the more intense the love, the longer the emotional aftermath.
The longer you burn
Connects the brightness of love with the duration of emotional consequences.
And Lord only knows
Indicates that love operates without much concern for those affected.
Love has little concern
Posits that love is indifferent to the challenges faced by individuals on their journey.
For the fools of the road
Refers to individuals who are inexperienced or unaware of love's challenges.
That's how it goes
Summarizes the cycle of living, learning, and facing the challenges presented by love.
You live and you learn
Encourages the idea of gaining wisdom through life experiences.
The rules of the road
Reiterates the importance of understanding and abiding by the rules mentioned.
Well love often shows a funny return
Repeats the theme of love's unpredictable nature and its impact on individuals.
The brighter it glows
Reiterates the connection between the intensity of love and its prolonged emotional effects.
The longer you burn
Restates the idea that the brightness of love correlates with the duration of emotional consequences.
And Lord only knows
Emphasizes that love operates without much concern for those affected.
Love has little concern
Posits that love is indifferent to the challenges faced by individuals on their journey.
For the fools of the road
Reiterates the reference to individuals who are inexperienced or unaware of love's challenges.
That's how it goes
Repeats the summary of the cycle of living, learning, and facing challenges presented by love.
You live and you learn
Restates the encouragement of gaining wisdom through life experiences.
The rules of the road
Concludes by reemphasizing the inevitability of living and learning through life's challenges.
The rules of the road
Reiterates the established guidelines or norms governing one's journey in life.
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