This is one of Springsteen's beautiful, understated little songs which manage to say so much.
I agree totally with the interpretations from tjtros and pencil neckd geek, you've nailed it guys. I think Moonpig is wrong about the 'button on her blouse' and the 'kids out of the house'. She is making herself pretty for him and making sure they won't be disturbed when he gets home, and also possibly making allowance for not knowing how he's going to be when he first comes through the door. Everyone rallies round in classic American style - Dad waffles about his old job, his car is buffed up, his Mum is so happy to have him home again....but he isn't home, he's standing waist deep in an unnamed river and all he sees is where he's been. Everything else just bounces off him.
Sorry to write so much, the guys above said it all in half the time.
This is one of Springsteen's beautiful, understated little songs which manage to say so much.
I agree totally with the interpretations from tjtros and pencil neckd geek, you've nailed it guys. I think Moonpig is wrong about the 'button on her blouse' and the 'kids out of the house'. She is making herself pretty for him and making sure they won't be disturbed when he gets home, and also possibly making allowance for not knowing how he's going to be when he first comes through the door. Everyone rallies round in classic American style - Dad waffles about his old job, his car is buffed up, his Mum is so happy to have him home again....but he isn't home, he's standing waist deep in an unnamed river and all he sees is where he's been. Everything else just bounces off him. Sorry to write so much, the guys above said it all in half the time.