Marlene Dietrich was a diva, who's personal life was kept out of the public view. ("hold your tongue about your life") had many lovers, among them famous writers ("writer man"). There's also a reference to Dietrich's singing style: "Just wise owl tones - no velvet lies crush her velvet call" - who sounded bitterly-"sober", and disenchanted.
The song describes someone (Marlene?, or the writer's mother?) on her death-bed, remembering a "token" - either used on her, or one that she used (Perhaps a line from one of Dietrich's songs, or a poem she loved?) - "Forgive me please, for hurting (you) so, don't go away heartbroken".
"the fools who write you on the wall" might refer to ownership in love, either read literally as: To try to own in love is a foolish thing, or ironicly: What a fool was I to give you my heart.
Marlene Dietrich was a diva, who's personal life was kept out of the public view. ("hold your tongue about your life") had many lovers, among them famous writers ("writer man"). There's also a reference to Dietrich's singing style: "Just wise owl tones - no velvet lies crush her velvet call" - who sounded bitterly-"sober", and disenchanted. The song describes someone (Marlene?, or the writer's mother?) on her death-bed, remembering a "token" - either used on her, or one that she used (Perhaps a line from one of Dietrich's songs, or a poem she loved?) - "Forgive me please, for hurting (you) so, don't go away heartbroken". "the fools who write you on the wall" might refer to ownership in love, either read literally as: To try to own in love is a foolish thing, or ironicly: What a fool was I to give you my heart.