Lyrics
It's a shame that some must go without,
Expressing regret that some people have to go without necessities.
I was no fool to think it might be my problem.
Acknowledging that the issue is not the speaker's fault or responsibility.
Needy hands were reaching out,
Describing people in need reaching out for help.
I kept my spare change and my pride.
Keeping both spare change and pride rather than offering assistance.
And a tight fist.
Emphasizing a tight-fisted and unwilling attitude.
(And a tight fist!)
Reiterating the speaker's tight-fisted nature with emphasis.
Now at the last,
Introducing a shift in perspective, reflecting on change.
Everything has changed in this pale light
Highlighting a significant transformation in the speaker's life.
That death has cast on all I've done.
Referring to the transformative impact of death on the speaker's actions.
On all I've done.
Repeating the influence of death on the speaker's past actions.
I'm a good man on the whole.
Asserting the speaker's overall goodness.
Who can blame me for the guilt of another one?
Acknowledging guilt related to someone else's actions.
I never killed, I never stole.
Stating the speaker's innocence regarding killing or stealing.
A small indulgence now and then, so what of it?
Admitting to minor indulgences without remorse.
I'm a good man.
Reaffirming the speaker's belief in their own goodness.
I'm a good man.
Repeated affirmation of the speaker's goodness.
Am I a good man?
Pondering and questioning the speaker's moral character.
I thought I was
Expressing uncertainty about the speaker's own goodness.
The rewards of this life now count for naught.
Reflecting on the diminishing value of life's rewards.
My body soon buried and left to rot.
Anticipating the decay of the speaker's body after death.
Good times gone, how quickly, an honest past.
Reminiscing about good times gone and an honest past.
My God, now I see how I've squandered each and every breath!
Realizing the wastefulness of the speaker's life choices.
Now at the last,
Reiterating a significant change in the speaker's life.
Everything has changed in this pale light
Reemphasizing the transformative impact of death on the speaker.
That death has cast on all I've done.
Repeating the idea that death has influenced the speaker's past actions.
Now at the last,
Again highlighting a major change in the speaker's life.
Everything has changed in this pale light,
Reiterating the transformative impact of death and expressing regret.
And looking back, I am undone.
Looking back and acknowledging the irreversible consequences of the speaker's past.
I am undone.
Expressing a sense of being undone or ruined by past actions.
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