Powderfinger
Powderfinger's Last Stand: A Tale of Desperation and Defiance
Lyrics
Look out, Mama
Alert or warning to someone, possibly the narrator's mother.
There's a white boat comin' up the river
Describing a white boat approaching up the river.
With a big red beacon and a flag
Details of the boat - red beacon, flag, and a man on the rail.
And a man on the rail
Observing a man on the boat's rail, emphasizing a potential threat.
I think you'd better call John
Suggesting to call John, possibly for help or guidance.
'cause it don't look like they're
Expressing doubt about the boat's purpose.
Here to deliver the mail
Suspecting that the boat is not delivering mail.
And it's less than a mile away
Distance of the boat from the narrator's location.
I hope they didn't come to stay
Hopeful that the boat won't stay.
It's got numbers on the side and a
Describing the boat's features - numbers and a gun.
Gun and it's makin' big waves
Highlighting the threatening nature of the boat.
Daddy's gone
Announcing the absence of the narrator's father.
My brother's out huntin' in the mountains
Brother hunting, setting a scene of absence and danger.
Big John's been drinkin' since
Big John drinking, emphasizing a lack of support.
The river took Emmy-Lou
Mentioning a tragic event involving Emmy-Lou and the river.
So the powers that be left me
The authorities or fate left the narrator in charge of decision-making.
Here to do the thinkin'
Expressing the responsibility placed on the narrator.
And I just turned twenty-two
Age of the narrator, feeling unsure about the situation.
I was wonderin' what to do
The narrator pondering what to do in a challenging circumstance.
And the closer they got
Emphasizing the increasing intensity of emotions as the boat approaches.
The more those feelings grew la la la la
Describing the growth of emotional feelings.
La la la laaaa la la oohhhhhhhh hoooooo
Unintelligible vocalizations, possibly expressing emotional turmoil.
Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin'
The narrator holding their father's rifle, seeking comfort.
He told me, red means run son
Advice from the father about the meaning of red and numbers.
Numbers add up to nothin'
Skepticism about the significance of numbers.
But when the first shot hit the docks
Awareness of an impending conflict as the first shot is fired.
I saw it comin' raised my rifle to my eye
The narrator reacting by raising their rifle.
Never stopped to wonder why
No hesitation, just a reflex to the threat.
Then I saw black and my
Observing the aftermath of the conflict.
Face splashed in the sky la la la la
Describing a moment of impact and chaos.
La la la laaaa la la oohhhhhhhh hoooooo
Unintelligible vocalizations, possibly expressing trauma or shock.
Hooooo hoooo hoooo
Continuation of vocalizations indicating emotional distress.
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
Seeking refuge from the harmful elements, both powder and finger.
Cover me with the thought
Asking for mental and emotional cover from the thoughts that triggered the violence.
That pulled the trigger
Requesting to be shielded from the origin of the violence.
Think of me as the one you'd never figure
Presenting the narrator as an enigma, not easily understood.
You fade away so young
A reflection on the premature loss of life and potential.
With so much left undone
Expressing regret for things left unfinished.
Remember me to my love, I'm gonna miss her
A farewell message to the narrator's love, acknowledging an impending separation.
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