Katie H- Hymn #101

 I decided to make this weeks blog post an analysis of the Joe Pug song discussed in class because my interpretation seemed very different from other peoples. I have found with folk music like this, it is rare to have very cerebral and convoluted lyrics covered in difficult metaphors. Most folk music I have heard use metaphors in a more simple way, simply allowing them to speak from the heart without making the song 10 hours long. Therefor, I analyzed it with the understanding that the writer is not likely to me an English major in college and know all the fancy way to write something. for the same of simplicity i sectioned things out by stanza. I will not be doing the entire song as it is far too long for a blog entry, but perhaps there will be a second blog post on it if I continue to think about it. I personally do not see any allegory in this therefore it will not be mentioned

And I’ve come to know the wishlist of my father

I’ve come to know the shipwrecks where he wished

I’ve come to wish aloud, among the overdressed crowd

Come to witness now the sinking of the ship

Throwing pennies from the seatop next to it

- I found it important to note that shipwrecks is plural, which I took to mean pitfall or stumbles and bad decisions in life, and the wishlists to be his aspirations and dreams in life. and the sinking of the ship could mean either his passing or his financial ruin among the overdressed crowd of accountants. I have never heard someone consider a crowd at a funeral to be overdressed for the occasion, only underdressed so I am not quick to believe he passed away. but perhaps his father put lots of money into bad financial investments and is now going to be unable to recover.

And I’ve come to roam the forest past the village

With a dozen lazy horses in my cart

I’ve come here to get high, to do more than just get by

I’ve come to test the timbre of my heart

I ‘ve come to test the timbre of my heart

- the forest past the village could be uncharted territory or a space that is not known to be safe. the horses in his cart could be baggage carried from previous experiences. being "high" doesnt not need to mean under the influence, but to get far in life and achieve great things or to be happy. That task is not easy to testing the timbre of his heart is testing to see if he can make it.

And I’ve come to meet the sheriff and his posse

To offer him the broadside of my jaw

I have come here to get broke and then maybe bum a smoke

We’ll go drinking two towns over after all

We’ll go drinking two towns over after all

- the sheriff and his posse could be either/or justice and death. offering the broadside of his jaw means to me that he is willing to accept any punishment for what he has done willingly as though he knows he deserves it. and in the end, hope to reconcile with those he has hurt in life by "going drinking 2 towns over"

https://joepugmusic.com/lyrics/nation-of-heat/hymn-101