The Union
Embracing Hardship: Defying Conformity in "The Union
Lyrics
When we were kids
Reflecting on childhood
We'd throw rocks at cars
Engaging in rebellious behavior
And smoke our mother's cigarettes
Experimenting with adult habits
After dark, in the park
Revisiting memories of nighttime activities in a park
And I remember picking butts up off the
Recollection of picking up used cigarettes
Dirty ground
Noting the unclean surface where cigarettes were picked up
Smoking them just the same as Ma's
Smoking retrieved cigarettes like one's mother's
When we ran out
Running out of cigarettes
And I ripped my heart from beneath my ribs
Metaphorical removal of emotional vulnerability
And lay there bleeding out in my hands
Feeling emotionally exposed and vulnerable
And I'd give a piece to each of my friends
Willingness to share emotional vulnerability with friends
Just to know they understand
Desiring understanding from friends
That I'd never join the union
Rejecting the idea of an easy life through unionization
'Cause I never wanted it easy
Not desiring an easy or comfortable life
No, I'd never join the union
Emphasizing the rejection of an easy path
'Cause I'd never wanted it easy
Stating the resistance to an easy life
There's a pretty little city towering over the sea
Depicting a picturesque city by the sea
And the little yellow house
Describing a deteriorating house on Inglis Street
Falling down on Inglis Street
Highlighting individuals aware of the singer's identity
There's a few good men who know who I am
Repeating the act of emotional vulnerability
And who I am not
Desiring understanding from a specific friend
And I rip my heart from beneath my rib
Metaphorical extraction of emotional vulnerability
And I lie there bleeding out in my hands
Feeling emotionally exposed and vulnerable again
And I give a piece to you my friend
Willingness to share emotional vulnerability with a friend
Just to know you understand
Seeking understanding from the friend
That I'd never join the union
Rejection of an easy life through union participation
'Cause I never wanted it easy
Emphasizing the avoidance of an easy life
Hell, I'd never join the union
Refusal to take an easy path via unionization
'Cause I never wanted it easy
Stating the resistance to an easy life through a union
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Repetitive sounds, possibly emphasizing a realization or revelation
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
-Now I know why
Acknowledging disapproval from someone's father
Your daddy doesn't like me
Understanding the reason for disapproval
Can't change it
Accepting inability to change one's identity
I am a dirty, Rock 'n' Roller baby
Embracing a self-image as a rebellious rock musician
Now I know why
Reiteration of comprehending parental disapproval
Your daddy doesn't like me
Reaffirmation of understanding disapproval
I can't change it
Acceptance of the inability to change self-perception
I am a dirty, Rock 'n' Roller
Reaffirmation of identifying as a rebellious rock musician
And I'd never join the union
Repeated rejection of an easy life through union involvement
'Cause I never wanted it easy
-Hell, I'd never join the union
-'Cause I never wanted it easy
Declaring a rejection of an easy path
That I'd never
Reiterating the steadfast refusal to pursue an easy life via unionization
No, I'd never
-No, I'd never join
-That I'd never
-No, I'd never
-No, I'd never join
-That I'd never join the union
-'Cause I never wanted it easy
-Hey
Concluding note
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