Lyrics
Do tell, how is the little pilgrim's progress
The speaker inquires about the progress of a little pilgrim.
Does he endeavor to persevere
Asks if the pilgrim persists and perseveres in his journey.
Close mantled to knives and kisses
Refers to being guarded against both harm and affection.
Just like when you were here
Compares the present situation to when someone else (possibly the listener) was present.
What little he had, from him it was taken
Describes the loss of what little the pilgrim had, as he couldn't be trusted with small things.
For in the small things he could not be trusted
Suggests a lack of trust in the pilgrim due to issues with small matters.
Arrow head, arrow head run motor city rusted
Mentions an "Arrow head" and the deterioration of a city (motor city) due to rust.
Nailed to the floor by an old time gaze
Depicts being immobilized or restrained by an old-fashioned gaze.
Who is, who was, who is to come
Ponders the identity and future arrival of someone, possibly significant.
Given to other lips and spoken on other tongues
Describes the sharing of words with different people over time.
Where are you and where have you been
Questions the current whereabouts and past experiences of someone.
Hold fast, hold fast till he come again
Encourages holding on or being steadfast until a certain event occurs again.
Would it do, would it do any good
Raises the question of the utility of remembering the written words.
To be able to remember the white of the page
Asks if recalling the content on a page would be beneficial.
The black of the ink
Mentions the contrast between the white page and the black ink.
Thrown overboard lest the whole ship sink
Describes discarding something to prevent a larger disaster.
You talk this way as you go walkin'
Addresses someone talking in a specific manner while walking.
Weavin' your way through the straw
Depicts weaving through challenges or situations.
It comes so slow and leaves so quick
Comments on the slow arrival and quick departure of something.
Under grace we strike the stricken law
Refers to overcoming adversity through grace despite facing the law.
Who is, who was, who is to come
Reiterates the inquiry about the identity and future arrival of someone.
Given to other lips and spoken on other tongues
Repeats the idea of words being shared with different people over time.
Where are you and where have you been
Restates the questions about the current whereabouts and past experiences of someone.
Hold fast, hold fast till he come again
Reiterates the encouragement to remain steadfast until a certain event occurs again.
Who is, who was, who is to come
Recalls the inquiry about the identity and future arrival of someone.
Given to other lips and spoken on other tongues
Recalls the idea of words being shared with different people over time.
Where are you and where have you been
Reiterates the questions about the current whereabouts and past experiences of someone.
Hold fast, hold fast till he come again
Reiterates the encouragement to remain steadfast until a certain event occurs again.
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