There are two major interpretations borne rather well by these lyrics. In the first, literal interpretation, four generations of the speaker's family, man and woman alike, are housed in the same prison. The righteous and pure Virginia was the powerful influence that spared the speaker from that fate (sort of like Claudia Feathers to William Munny in Unforgiven). Out of gratitude, the speaker spends all of his time keeping Virginia happy. Rightly so, for that would be one deeply troubled family.
In the second, the figurative "prison" is the speaker's relationship with Virginia, who has suceeded in completely cutting the speaker off from his family of origin, including his own son (presumably borne by another woman). The speaker's family lives in a house on Route 41, which Virginia has convinced the speaker is somehow akin to a prison.
The latter of these two interpretations stands as a parable against mistaking a lover for a savior (elevated above Christ the Lord), one without whom one would oneself "surely die". It also reminds us of a frequent, and frequently ignored, warning sign in many troubled relationships, i.e. one partner attempting to cut the other off from friends and family in an effort to eliminate competing influences and/or to weaken and disorient one's partner, who will then become more dependent.
There are two major interpretations borne rather well by these lyrics. In the first, literal interpretation, four generations of the speaker's family, man and woman alike, are housed in the same prison. The righteous and pure Virginia was the powerful influence that spared the speaker from that fate (sort of like Claudia Feathers to William Munny in Unforgiven). Out of gratitude, the speaker spends all of his time keeping Virginia happy. Rightly so, for that would be one deeply troubled family.
In the second, the figurative "prison" is the speaker's relationship with Virginia, who has suceeded in completely cutting the speaker off from his family of origin, including his own son (presumably borne by another woman). The speaker's family lives in a house on Route 41, which Virginia has convinced the speaker is somehow akin to a prison.
The latter of these two interpretations stands as a parable against mistaking a lover for a savior (elevated above Christ the Lord), one without whom one would oneself "surely die". It also reminds us of a frequent, and frequently ignored, warning sign in many troubled relationships, i.e. one partner attempting to cut the other off from friends and family in an effort to eliminate competing influences and/or to weaken and disorient one's partner, who will then become more dependent.
@Chombis I like the second interpretation because the tone of the song fits that narrative better.
@Chombis I like the second interpretation because the tone of the song fits that narrative better.