Meet Me in the Alleyway
Midnight Rendezvous: Unveiling the Mystical Journey in Steve Earle's Alleyway Tale
Lyrics
I had a melancholy malady
I am afflicted with a deep sadness or gloomy condition.
Wen to see the doctor and the doctor say
Visited a doctor, and he informed me
Too bad nothin' he could do he
Unfortunately, there's nothing he can do about it
Knew a man in Louisiana if I'm willin' to pay
He suggests consulting a man in Louisiana for a fee
Laid my money on the barrelhead
I paid the money in advance
Man behind the bar began to shimmy and shake
The bartender reacted energetically
Can't lie I reckoned I was dead
Realized the seriousness of my situation
When he picked up my money up and I heard him say
Bartender picked up my money and said something
Meet me in the alleyway
Invitation to meet in the alleyway
Minute to midnight don't be late
Specifying the time: a minute to midnight
Meet me in the alleyway
Reiteration of the invitation
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait
Urgency emphasized, spirits won't wait
Thirteen tiger teeth in my talisman
Refers to a charm with thirteen tiger teeth
St. John The Conqueror and a black cat bone
Mentions St. John The Conqueror and a black cat bone, both associated with folk magic
Been seen walkin' with the Guardians
Refers to walking with the Guardians, possibly spiritual entities
Now I'm in the alley and I'm all alone
The narrator is now alone in the alley
Can't run can't hide from destiny
Feeling trapped, unable to escape fate
Knew this day was comin' nearly all of my life
Anticipated this day for most of their life
Been done ain't the only boy from Tennessee
The narrator is not the only one from Tennessee to face such a situation
To carve his name in cypress with a jawbone knife
Reference to carving one's name in cypress with a jawbone knife, suggesting a dark ritual or commitment
Meet me in the alleyway
Reiteration of the invitation to meet in the alleyway
Minute to midnight don't be late
Specifying the time again: a minute to midnight
Meet me in the alleyway
Repeat of the invitation
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait
Emphasis on urgency, spirits won't wait
So you wanna be the king of America
Desire to be the king of America
Say you wanna know the oracle's mind
Expressing a wish to understand the oracle's mind
Say you wanna see the Marquessess of Mardi Gras
Expressing a desire to see the Marquesses of Mardi Gras
Dancin' with the devil at the end of the line
Describing dancing with the devil at the end of the line
Meet me in the alleyway
Repetition of the invitation to meet in the alleyway
Minute to midnight don't be late
Specifying the time once again: a minute to midnight
Meet me in the alleyway
Reiteration of the invitation
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait
Stressing urgency, spirits won't wait
Meet me in the alleyway
Repetition of the invitation to meet in the alleyway
Don't be late
Reminder not to be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Reiteration of the invitation
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait
Emphasis on the urgency, spirits won't wait
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