Scarlet Begonias
Scarlet Begonias: A Psychedelic Tale of Love and Liberation
Lyrics
As I was walkin' down rub-a-dub square
Describes the location ("rub-a-dub square") as the narrator begins walking.
Not a chill to the window but a little to the air
Not feeling cold but a slight chill in the air.
From another direction she was calling my eye
A woman catches the narrator's eye from a different direction.
It could be an illusion but I might as well try
Uncertain if real or illusion, but the narrator wants to explore.
Might as well try
Reiterates the willingness to try and understand the situation.
She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes
Describes the woman with rings and bells, implying a distinctive style.
And I knew without asking she was into the blues
The narrator senses she's familiar with hardship ("into the blues").
She wore scarlet begonias tucked into her curls
Visual detail of the woman wearing scarlet begonias in her hair.
I knew right away she was not like other girls, like other girls
The narrator feels she is unique compared to others.
Well I ain't never been right as I ain't never been wrong
Expresses the narrator's uncertainty and acceptance of life's twists.
As everything works out the way it does in this song
Reflects on the unpredictable nature of life, especially in the song.
'Cause once in a while you get shown in the light
Suggests moments of clarity ("shown in the light") can occur unexpectedly.
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
Finds profound insights in unusual places if one looks at them right.
It was the summer of love and I thank the stars above
References the historic "summer of love" with gratitude.
Because the women took a lovin' over me
Expresses appreciation for the affection received from women.
And just to gain her trust, I bought a microbus
Describes buying a microbus to gain a woman's trust.
Because I sold off all my personal property
The narrator sacrifices personal belongings for the relationship.
A tie-tie-dyed dress, she was a psychedelic mess
Depicts the woman's unconventional appearance with a tie-dyed dress.
We toured to the north, south, east and west
Highlights extensive travel in different directions.
We sold some mushroom tea,
Mentions selling mushroom tea during their travels.
We sold some ecstasy,
Lists various substances sold, reflecting a counterculture lifestyle.
We sold nitrous, opium, acid, heroin and PCP
Acknowledges potential legal consequences ("police coming after me").
And now I hear the police coming after me
Recognizes the impending legal trouble.
Yes now I hear the police coming after me
Reiterates the awareness of law enforcement pursuing the narrator.
The one scarlet with the flowers in her hair
Emphasizes the uniqueness of one woman with flowers in her hair.
She's got the police coming after me
Repeats the notion of police pursuing, possibly related to the woman.
Well there ain't nothing wrong with the way she moves
Defends the woman's movements, suggesting nothing wrong with them.
All scarlet begonias and a touch of the blues
Reiterates the visual imagery of scarlet begonias and a touch of the blues.
And there ain't nothin' wrong with the love that's in her eyes
Asserts the innocence of the love reflected in the woman's eyes.
I had to learn the hard way just to let her pass by, let her pass by
Shares the narrator's hard-earned lesson to let go of the woman.
Oh just let her pass by
Repeats the advice to let the woman pass by, accepting the inevitable separation.
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