I think a big part of understanding this song would actually relate back to Shakespeare's Hamlet. In Hamlet Ophelia was a young woman who went mad (giving away flowers to various male characters before drowning herself in the river). Hence the title of this song, seems to refer to a girl who is in trouble & close to drowning.
"The gutter may profess its love then follow it with hesitation for there are just so many of you out there for rent"- many girls have made her mistake & he sees her repeating it, falling into the trap.
"And I cannot lecture you"- in his heart the singer desires to help her, but realizes its fruitless so he pleads with her.
"You are not some saint who's above giving someone a stroll through the flowers"-Basically, this line is another reference to Shakespeare's Ophelia meaning that she is promiscuous.
I think a big part of understanding this song would actually relate back to Shakespeare's Hamlet. In Hamlet Ophelia was a young woman who went mad (giving away flowers to various male characters before drowning herself in the river). Hence the title of this song, seems to refer to a girl who is in trouble & close to drowning.
"The gutter may profess its love then follow it with hesitation for there are just so many of you out there for rent"- many girls have made her mistake & he sees her repeating it, falling into the trap. "And I cannot lecture you"- in his heart the singer desires to help her, but realizes its fruitless so he pleads with her.
"You are not some saint who's above giving someone a stroll through the flowers"-Basically, this line is another reference to Shakespeare's Ophelia meaning that she is promiscuous.