I see less Biblical allegory than most of these interpretations. I just see a pretty straightforward song about a man visiting his brother's funeral on leave from jail. His parents are weeping and calling out to God for their 'one good son' 's death. The brother sees how it's more of a tragedy to them since he is in prison and they are not proud of him. It's a devastating song.
The "All the while" part is just showing the despair of the moment.
I see less Biblical allegory than most of these interpretations. I just see a pretty straightforward song about a man visiting his brother's funeral on leave from jail. His parents are weeping and calling out to God for their 'one good son' 's death. The brother sees how it's more of a tragedy to them since he is in prison and they are not proud of him. It's a devastating song. The "All the while" part is just showing the despair of the moment.