New South Wales Lyrics

Lyric discussion by King Leer 

Cover art for New South Wales lyrics by Jason Isbell

Oh good grief people! It's called "New South Wales" because he wrote the song while touring Australia with Justin Townes Earle.

It's about losing control on the road, and the dangers of substance abuse while touring. The meanings of "Sand" and "Listerene" aren't very mysterious here if you stop being so literal. Jason uses a lot of allegory in his lyrics, hence "the busted boat that brings us back", isn't an actual boat, but a metaphor for that which can bring you back to a more grounded, centered place. In Jason's world, that place is sobriety. For others, it could be different.

This, like most Isbell songs, is deeply personal and reflective. It has nothing to do with the colonization of Australia. Jeeze...

Read my most recent comment with an open mind. You will see it has a literal and abstract meaning. The busted boat is a metaphor. It's all a metaphor. You'll figure it out I'm not going to spell it out. There's too many references to the colonization of New South Wales. It's kind of personal but it's also a Ballad of the Irish settlers. Maybe he related to them who knows. I was in AP English. I know how to interpret lyrics I just can't write them. But I have so much respect for someone like him who really worked...

It's so complicated I don't know it would be upper level English major stuff. But it's the real deal. Jason studied poetry and stuff. He was a P.E. credit short of graduation. He knows what he's doing.

Read this. This will give you some insight. http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/convicts-and-the-british-colonies

It might not be Irish per se but if you notice I said Celtic styling which could apply to Welch too.