Folsom Prison Blues
Folsom Reflections: A Journey of Regret and Redemption
Lyrics
I hear the train a comin'
The sound of a train approaching is heard
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
The train is moving around the curve of the track
And I ain't seen the sunshine
The singer hasn't experienced happiness or freedom for an unknown period
Since, I don't know when
Continues the theme of not seeing sunshine, indicating a prolonged period of sadness or despair
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
The singer is incarcerated at Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
Time feels slow or burdensome in prison
But that train keeps a-rollin'
Despite time dragging on, the train keeps moving
On down to San Antone
The train is heading towards San Antone (San Antonio)
When I was just a baby
Recollection of advice received from the singer's mother when young
My Mama told me, "Son
The advice emphasizes being well-behaved and avoiding guns
Always be a good boy
Continuation of the advice, promoting good behavior
Don't ever play with guns, "
The singer defied this advice and shot someone in Reno
But I shot a man in Reno
The reason for shooting was to witness the person's death
Just to watch him die
Upon hearing the train whistle, the singer feels remorseful and saddened
When I hear that whistle blowin'
The singer assumes wealthy individuals are dining luxuriously on the train
I hang my head and cry
Implies envy or resentment toward those enjoying luxury
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
The singer acknowledges deserving the consequences for their actions
In a fancy dining car
Rich individuals are likely enjoying amenities like coffee and cigars
They're probably drinkin' coffee
Continuation of the portrayal of luxury
And smokin' big cigars
The singer accepts their fate, realizing they won't attain freedom
But I know I had it comin'
Observation of people moving on with their lives while the singer remains trapped
I know I can't be free
The continuous movement of others creates mental anguish for the singer
But those people keep a-movin'
Expresses a desire for freedom and a different life
And that's what tortures me
The singer's wish to escape the prison and move away from it
Well, if they freed me from this prison
The singer yearns for freedom and speculates on what they would do if released
If that railroad train was mine
The singer imagines owning the train and controlling its path
I bet I'd move out over a little
The singer would redirect the train farther down the tracks
Farther down the line
The desire to distance oneself from Folsom Prison
Far from Folsom Prison
The singer prefers staying away from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
The singer wishes to avoid returning to the prison environment
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Imagining the train whistle could alleviate the singer's sadness
Blow my blues away
The singer hopes the train sound could alleviate their emotional distress
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