She had a dream
And boy it was a good one
So she chased after her dream
With much desire
But when she get too close
To her expectations
Well the dream burned up
Like paper in fire

Paper in fire
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking up the alleyways
Who's to say the way
A man should spend his days
Do you let them smolder
Like paper in fire

He wanted love
With no involvement
So he chased the wind
That's all his silly life required
And the days of vanity
Went on forever
And he saw his days burn up
Like paper in fire

Paper in fire
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking up the alleyways
Who's to say the way
A man should spend his days
Do you let them smolder
Like paper in fire

There's a good life
Right across the green fields
And each generation
Stares at it from afar
But we keep no check
On our appetites
So the green fields turn to brown
Like paper in fire

Paper in fire
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking up the alleyways
Who's to say the way
A man should spend his days
Do you let them smolder
Like paper in fire


Lyrics submitted by SuZ

Paper in Fire Lyrics as written by John Mellencamp

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Paper In Fire song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Paper in Fire is a brilliant Mellencamp Classic Rocker! In this loud rocker, the Cat Named Johnny Rebel in the Coda/Finale writes the last half of the song. It is Subtitled Farmer's Lament, In it, Farmer Meowing Cat Mellencamp writes "There is a good life/Right across the green fields/Each generation stares at it from afar/But no checks are kept on our appetites/So the green fields turn to brown/Like Paper in Fire!" The backbone of America is broken. If we don't save the farmers and the family farm, America will be a third world country! So let's eat a steak at a sports bar, get our Peaches and Beans from a farmers market and let's have a chocolate ice cream while summer is still here. Mellencamp will thank you for it! Purr and Meow!

    rabbitbunnyon July 13, 2012   Link

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