It seems to be about being savaged by a hostile press ('gaping wounds that never heal') and yet those malicious attacks hurt the perpetrators as much as their victims ("now they're moaning like a dog in a manger") - a very Buddhist notion of karma.
The song says that we're all headed towards the same ending - death ("when that rough god comes riding in") - the implication is that we ought to spend what time we have well, rather than spitefully wounding others.
It seems to be about being savaged by a hostile press ('gaping wounds that never heal') and yet those malicious attacks hurt the perpetrators as much as their victims ("now they're moaning like a dog in a manger") - a very Buddhist notion of karma.
The song says that we're all headed towards the same ending - death ("when that rough god comes riding in") - the implication is that we ought to spend what time we have well, rather than spitefully wounding others.