NO, his mom didn't just die. nobody else has either. except, figuratively, the narrator. the first line tells it. what's none of her business and why is it heartbreaking to her? cuz she cares about him and she sees him as the guy who's taken on the shame over something he didn't even do. and, MAYBE, he's told her he's leaving town and thus, her, cuz he can't take it anymore. and then, maybe not. but it doesn't matter becuase, how he feels being the target for the annimosity toward his dad by the locals, is heartbreaking to her.
the roses are for his dad whom he loves despite what the dad did that everybody knows he did. someplace deep down inside everybody luvs their dad despite what he may have done to make you feel ashamed. everybody in town knows his dad used his power to overpower women and perp on 'em until one nite he's makin' it with one who's not his momma and he has a heart attack. iow, the old man's got a rep 'n the son is stuck with it. if he stays there he will always be looked upon to carry the guilt and shame his father caused.
the game has no significance except as the place where he went that nite to forget who he is. its there to describe his misery.
its an incredibly poignent, heartbreaking song. lots of great song writers but few who pushed the edge in a way that influences everything to come. dyan, townes, kris, mickey are among those few. and now isbell...
NO, his mom didn't just die. nobody else has either. except, figuratively, the narrator. the first line tells it. what's none of her business and why is it heartbreaking to her? cuz she cares about him and she sees him as the guy who's taken on the shame over something he didn't even do. and, MAYBE, he's told her he's leaving town and thus, her, cuz he can't take it anymore. and then, maybe not. but it doesn't matter becuase, how he feels being the target for the annimosity toward his dad by the locals, is heartbreaking to her.
the roses are for his dad whom he loves despite what the dad did that everybody knows he did. someplace deep down inside everybody luvs their dad despite what he may have done to make you feel ashamed. everybody in town knows his dad used his power to overpower women and perp on 'em until one nite he's makin' it with one who's not his momma and he has a heart attack. iow, the old man's got a rep 'n the son is stuck with it. if he stays there he will always be looked upon to carry the guilt and shame his father caused.
the game has no significance except as the place where he went that nite to forget who he is. its there to describe his misery.
its an incredibly poignent, heartbreaking song. lots of great song writers but few who pushed the edge in a way that influences everything to come. dyan, townes, kris, mickey are among those few. and now isbell...