Ticket Taker
Rising Waters and Ticket Takers: A Song's Reflection on Society's Arc
Lyrics
Tonight's the night when the waters rise
Tonight marks the occasion when the waters are rising.
You're groping in the dark
Engaging in something without clear direction or understanding.
The ticket takers count the men who can afford the arc
Ticket takers are assessing the number of people who can afford to be on the ark (a reference to Noah's ark).
The ticket takers will not board
The ticket takers themselves will not join the ark.
For the ticket takers are tied
The ticket takers are bound or restricted.
For five and change an hour
Despite being paid a low wage, they count the passersby.
They will count the passers by
They perform their duties diligently for a modest wage.
They say the sky's the limit
Despite the common saying that there are no limits, a crisis is imminent.
But the sky's about to fall
A reversal of expectations - instead of limitless opportunities, a downfall is anticipated.
Down come all them record books cradle and all
Traditional records and achievements will be destroyed.
They say before he bit it
Before dying, the boxer supposedly felt no pain.
That the boxer felt no pain
There's a gambler with a ticket, suggesting uncertainty and risk.
But somewhere there's a gamblin' man
A reference to the uncertainty and risk associated with gambling.
With a ticket in the rain
Someone with a ticket in the rain may face challenges or obstacles.
Mary Anne, I know I'm a long shot
Acknowledging the unlikelihood of success.
But Mary Anne, what else have you got
Despite being a long shot, the speaker asks what else Mary Anne has.
I am a ticket taker, many tickets have I torn
The speaker is a ticket taker with experience tearing many tickets.
And I will be your arc, we will float above the storm
The speaker offers to be Mary Anne's ark during the storm, symbolizing support and protection.
Many years have passed in this river town
Reflecting on the passage of time in a town by a river.
I've sailed through many traps
The speaker has navigated through various challenges or snares.
I keep a stock of weapons should society collapse
The speaker is prepared for societal collapse, keeping weapons in stock.
I keep a stock of amo
The speaker maintains a supply of ammunition.
One of oil and one of gold
Stockpiling resources, including oil and gold.
I keep a place for Mary Anne
Reserving a space for Mary Anne in the speaker's life.
Soon she will come home
The anticipation of Mary Anne's return.
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