Ballad of John Parker
Journey of Redemption: Unveiling Life's Heavy Burdens
Lyrics
Down the rough road where the asphalt is split
Refers to a challenging journey on a damaged road.
Stumbles a man down to his wits
Describes a man who is struggling and disoriented.
Brother, oh brother, what's left to regret?
Ponders on the regrets of a brother, suggesting a troubled past.
Known by the way that he carries his load
Emphasizes that the man's burdens are evident in how he carries himself.
Early one morning in the warehouse of souls
Sets the scene in a metaphorical "warehouse of souls" in the early morning.
Digger was bent [incomprehensible]
Mentions someone named Digger who is physically bent, possibly exhausted or broken.
Digger, oh digger, what's left to reveal?
Asks Digger about what is left to reveal, hinting at hidden truths or experiences.
Known by the way that he carries his load
Reiterates that Digger's state is evident in how he carries his load.
I was a gambler and I was a king
Speaker reflects on being both a gambler and a king in a domain of sin.
The world of sin was all my domain
Implies a past where the speaker had control over a world tainted by sin.
Now I am bent, broken and spent
Expresses the speaker's current state of being bent, broken, and spent.
Known by the way that I carried my load
Similar to earlier lines, the speaker is recognized by how they carried their load.
A priest came along and said forty words
Introduces a priest uttering forty words, suggesting a moment of spiritual significance.
Up from the ground rose a great bird
Describes the rise of a great bird from the ground, possibly symbolizing rebirth or transformation.
Raven, oh raven, why do you fly?
Questions the flying raven about its purpose, seeking understanding.
Known by the way he carries his load
Emphasizes that the raven is recognized by how it carries its load, echoing earlier themes.
Known by the way he carries his load
Repeats the idea of recognizing the raven by the way it carries its load for emphasis.
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