The lyrics need to be seen on the context of the geography of Tow Law, which is a town in County Durham, where they have their own language, words and meanings. Mark Knopfler has already said that the context of this song is the problems that arose with small farmers during the foot and mouth epidemic. Many lost their entire stock of cattle and the were many suicides of small famers throughout the UK.
As I read it, this song is full of the imagery of a Durham farmer who is likely to commit suicide.'Chain for the ripsaw' is a metaphor - as someone has already mentioned, you don't use chain for a ripsaw - these are images. The same with 'killer for the weed' a metaphor for the depths of despair that this farmer has reached.
"Going into town to fuel my fire' shows his resolve to end it all with 'shells for the twelve' - that's a twelve-bore shotgun, and 'razor wire' another metaphor.
'The dog's at the back door. in Durham a 'dog' is a bottle of ale, so this could refer to the fact that the farmer has alleviated his sorrow with drink but 'leave him be' it did no good. 'Don't do jack and don't wait up for me' - don't try to stop me.
'I'm going into Tow Law to have my fun' - a metaphorical twist on what he really intends to do. Now read the next three lines as one phrase 'Don't get me wrong, you were the only one behind my back, Lord, you made a fool of me.' a double reference to the lack of help from the government and his god.
Overall, a sad and bitter song reflecting the realities of a small UK farmer's life (and death) during this appalling time.
The lyrics need to be seen on the context of the geography of Tow Law, which is a town in County Durham, where they have their own language, words and meanings. Mark Knopfler has already said that the context of this song is the problems that arose with small farmers during the foot and mouth epidemic. Many lost their entire stock of cattle and the were many suicides of small famers throughout the UK.
As I read it, this song is full of the imagery of a Durham farmer who is likely to commit suicide.'Chain for the ripsaw' is a metaphor - as someone has already mentioned, you don't use chain for a ripsaw - these are images. The same with 'killer for the weed' a metaphor for the depths of despair that this farmer has reached.
"Going into town to fuel my fire' shows his resolve to end it all with 'shells for the twelve' - that's a twelve-bore shotgun, and 'razor wire' another metaphor. 'The dog's at the back door. in Durham a 'dog' is a bottle of ale, so this could refer to the fact that the farmer has alleviated his sorrow with drink but 'leave him be' it did no good. 'Don't do jack and don't wait up for me' - don't try to stop me.
'I'm going into Tow Law to have my fun' - a metaphorical twist on what he really intends to do. Now read the next three lines as one phrase 'Don't get me wrong, you were the only one behind my back, Lord, you made a fool of me.' a double reference to the lack of help from the government and his god.
Overall, a sad and bitter song reflecting the realities of a small UK farmer's life (and death) during this appalling time.