This song is between 'Country Death Song' and 'Never Tell' on the Hallowed ground album - I don't think that's a coincidence. The whole album is a mix of their darkest and most religious early songs, and it thematically approaches being a concept album.
As @clocksiepirate noted, with what I think are correct lines, the lyrics here are off. The line 'sewer water washed my daughter down to the sea' fits pretty well with Country Death Song's plot, throwing one's youngest daughter into a well. This is probably before he 'hangs himself in shame', but after the murder. The song mentions both city and prairie, and the second has another link to the previous song.
I think the last lines (other than 'I hear the rain') are 'She used to sit and watching me now, I think I'll go insane', which also fits with the guy who murdered his daughter, took 'a short trip to Hell', and is about to kill himself. Thus, kılling the pain. Of course, kıllıng the pain is also a function of intoxication, which figures into the album too.
Note that the following song, 'Never Tell', also has someone who may be drowning in the bottom of a river. And, of course, 'It's Gonna Rain' has another take on the same central image to end the album - which is all about faith and sin.
This song is between 'Country Death Song' and 'Never Tell' on the Hallowed ground album - I don't think that's a coincidence. The whole album is a mix of their darkest and most religious early songs, and it thematically approaches being a concept album.
As @clocksiepirate noted, with what I think are correct lines, the lyrics here are off. The line 'sewer water washed my daughter down to the sea' fits pretty well with Country Death Song's plot, throwing one's youngest daughter into a well. This is probably before he 'hangs himself in shame', but after the murder. The song mentions both city and prairie, and the second has another link to the previous song.
I think the last lines (other than 'I hear the rain') are 'She used to sit and watching me now, I think I'll go insane', which also fits with the guy who murdered his daughter, took 'a short trip to Hell', and is about to kill himself. Thus, kılling the pain. Of course, kıllıng the pain is also a function of intoxication, which figures into the album too.
Note that the following song, 'Never Tell', also has someone who may be drowning in the bottom of a river. And, of course, 'It's Gonna Rain' has another take on the same central image to end the album - which is all about faith and sin.