Hanging Tree
Breaking Hearts, Seeking Freedom: The Hanging Tree Story by Tim Easton
Lyrics
Put your arms around the one
Encouraging physical comfort for the person who caused heartbreak.
Whose heart that you've just broken.
Suggesting empathy for the one whose heart has been broken.
And take them to the bottom again.
Advocating reconciliation and starting anew despite the pain.
Why don't you leave?
Questioning why the person causing the pain doesn't leave.
What you see when you're far away,
Noting the distortion of perception when something is distant versus close.
Gets blurry when it's in your face.
Highlighting the change in perspective when faced with a situation directly.
Find yourself someplace new to stay.
Advising the individual to find a new place to stay and move on.
Why don't you leave?
Reiterating the suggestion to leave the current situation.
Why don't you pick up and go?
Asking why the person doesn't pick up and leave.
You've already let me know,
Acknowledging that the decision to leave has been communicated.
That I'm nothing to you anyhow.
Expressing a sense of insignificance to the person causing the pain.
Who is the weak one now?
Questioning the strength or weakness of the one who caused the pain.
You don't need me 'cause you don't need
Indicating that the speaker is not essential to the other person.
Anyone in here can read the writing,
Implying that everyone can see the truth about the situation.
On the hanging tree.
Referencing a symbolic hanging tree, suggesting a heavy burden or consequence.
Why don't you leave?
Reiterating the suggestion for the person to leave.
Once you tried to make some ground,
Recalling a past attempt to move forward, possibly betrayed by the person.
And there you were backstabbing me down.
Accusing the person of betrayal or deceit.
You got lazy so you stuck around.
Noting the person's decision to remain despite becoming complacent.
Why don't you leave?
Repeating the suggestion for the person to leave.
You were set free but you could not run
Describing the person as having freedom but choosing not to use it.
Must have mistaken weak for strong
Pointing out a misunderstanding of strength and weakness.
The slowest reaction to the fastest gun
Highlighting a slow response to a fast and decisive action.
Why don't you leave?
Reiterating the suggestion for the person to leave.
Why don't you pick up and go?
Asking again why the person doesn't leave.
You've already let me know,
Confirming that the decision to leave has been communicated.
That I'm nothing to you to trust.
Emphasizing the lack of trust in the relationship.
And that is the truth about us.
Declaring the truth about the relationship.
You don't need me 'cause you don't need
Stating that the person is not needed by the speaker.
Everyone but you can read the writing,
Asserting that others can see the reality of the situation.
On the hanging tree.
Reiterating the symbolic reference to the hanging tree.
Why don't you leave?
Persistently suggesting the person to leave.
Tonight I watched you from below,
Observing the person's desire to leave, possibly due to guilt or unease.
And I could tell you wanted to go.
Noting a desire to break free from societal norms or constraints.
Just outside the law.
Suggesting a rebellious or outside-the-law attitude.
Why don't you leave?
Reiterating the persistent suggestion for the person to leave.
Comment