I think that this song is saying that sorrow is sorrow.
The millionaire's perfumed sorrow and a check from the
bank doesn't take away the pain and remorse. Parents often
feel guilt when a child dies.
Whether it's a millionaire's child or a poor working guy
losing a child is hard and painful.
One has to pay off the undertaker to put
his child in a white coffin.
The other doesn't worry about the costs
of burying a child, but still feels overwhelming grief.
The last line??? It was scrawny and ran up doctor's bills.
The child was sick no doubt but does this line suggest
that one of the two felt that the child was a burden?
I think that this song is saying that sorrow is sorrow. The millionaire's perfumed sorrow and a check from the bank doesn't take away the pain and remorse. Parents often feel guilt when a child dies.
Whether it's a millionaire's child or a poor working guy losing a child is hard and painful. One has to pay off the undertaker to put his child in a white coffin. The other doesn't worry about the costs of burying a child, but still feels overwhelming grief. The last line??? It was scrawny and ran up doctor's bills. The child was sick no doubt but does this line suggest that one of the two felt that the child was a burden?
[Edit: additional thoughts ]