Lyric discussion by Ethanw39907 

Cover art for Cherokee lyrics by John Moreland

Moreland has a powerful way of presenting powerful, deep cutting lyrics. Comparably to Americana greats like Isbell. This song really covers the meaning and feelings of loosing someone, wether that’s death or not. Diving into the first verse we see the opening line “I guess I’ve got a taste for poison, I’ve given up on ever being well”. This is something we can all relate to: loving people who are not always the best for us. That really sets the whole tone for the song. You can see “Cherokee” personified of someone who gives you that sense of home. The second verse really plays on grief. The resistance your brain has to accepting the loss of someone in your life. “I still use your old alarm clock, every morning I get further off the course”. You don’t want to let go of the small things that still give you recognition of that person. Again, this plays on not being able to fully let go. “I’m aware of where to find you, but it hurts to bad to go” is probably the deepest lyric in the song. It’s easy to reach out to this person but you know how it’s going to end. So there’s a sense of acceptance that you can’t be in that persons life anymore but you are ok with the hurt that it brings. Because that hurt at the end of the day is the feeling of missing that person. And sometimes that’s just enough for someone.