Penny and Sparrow

Honest Wage

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Honest Wage Lyrics

When you called, it was loud; I got angry.
I was everything but sober.
I said things that were ruthless, and I meant 'em,
But you told me to come over.

You say he's in town, and you're crying,
And you're throwing him one hell of a party.
So I hang up and start shaking, thinking
You never threw one for me.

I wish it was easier to kiss you on the mouth,
Like it is to work hard and earn an honest wage.
But you're not always fair to me, like I wish you would be...
He's the one who left home; I'm the one who stayed.

So, I drove when I shouldn't (But I'll make it; I'm feeling alright),
You walk out, (I'm a mess), you look perfect...
I figured you might...

Next thing I know, I'm exploding,
And everything feels awful and wrong.
And he's there, right beside you,
But the music inside is our song.

I wish it was easier to kiss you on the mouth,
Like it is to work hard and earn an honest wage.
But you're not always fair to me, no, like I wish you would be...
He's the one who left home; I'm the one who stayed. (x5)

I just get so angry when
You say you love him so,
I wanna be more like him;
I wanna know there's hope.

Submitted by

tuskundertalon On Jul 22, 2016

When you called, it was loud; I got angry.
I was everything but sober.
I said things that were ruthless, and I meant 'em,
But you told me to come over.

You say he's in town, and you're crying,
And you're throwing him one hell of a party.
So I hang up and start shaking, thinking
You never threw one for me.

So, I drove when I shouldn't (But I'll make it; I'm feeling alright),
You walk out, (I'm a mess), you look perfect...
I figured you might...

Next thing I know, I'm exploding,
And everything feels awful and wrong.
And he's there, right beside you,
But the music inside is our song.

I just get so angry when
You say you love him so,
I wanna be more like him;
I wanna know there's hope.

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TuskUnderTalon

Submitter

2016-07-22 15:42:33

1 Meaning

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by TuskUnderTalon

9y ago

Just in case anyone was confused about the inspiration of the song, it's the prodigal son's older brother. The verses are very easy to follow and should be very self explanatory. It actually follows quite closely to the biblical text it is borrowing from. What is important to unpack is the chorus. Because there is a lot of symbolism to address and explain. What isn't explained here is explained in the scripture itself.

"I wish it was easier to kiss you on the mouth, Like it is to work hard and earn an honest wage. But you're not always fair to me, like I wish you would be..."

   The first thing to point out is the difference between the labor and the kiss on the mouth. The reason earning an honest wage through labor is easier is because it's as objective and mechanical as possible. You show up , complete the allotted work for the allotted pay, and leave. It's a business transaction. A kiss on the mouth is hard, because it is personal. You have to be there, you have to be vulnerable. A relationship can't be dissected into a trading of work for pay. There are sacrifices. This refers back biblically to the Old Testament covenant and the New Testament covenant. The old covenant based on works, the new based on having a relationship with God himself. This paints a very clear analogy of spiritual dedication and how it effects the human heart.

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