Lyric discussion by corabain 

Cover art for Our Mother the Mountain lyrics by Townes Van Zandt

I think that on the surface, the story is about some form of siren cursing the singer in a classic tale of temptation and monsters.

But I also feel there is a level of symbolism possibly about drugs and drink in the song. The siren is some kind of representation of the temptation of drugs and drink and fame, and the singer is drawn to it, but just as things seem great it all goes down hill. And the curse of the first born to be blind could be about how sometimes taking drugs can lead to ill effects in your children.

Just guessing of course, to be honest I have only recently discovered his music and from what I have read of his life this could be one way to look at it. Whatever the case, hidden message or not, I love this song.

Song Meaning