Kathleen Edwards – National Steel

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  General Comment:i like pipKo's interpretation. here is an added thought to that notion...perhaps the line "trading a daughter and 2000 dollars for a national steel" is not about the father losing a daughter but maybe she is trading settling down/family life/kids (daughter), with the $2000 dollars for a guitar.
  otherwise, the lyric 'trading a daughter and 2000 dollars for a national steel', sounds like a parent would be trading/exchanging kathleen and money for a guitar for himself.because when a trade is made, you give something up and get something in return, so i dont see how that interpretation works because than the parent would be getting the guitar, not her.
  i agree she was asking him for a loan for some of the $2000. "are you writing this all down" refers to how he is keeping track of everything she owes him. money, being a grandfather perhaps? what do you guys think?

  Flag orangetr3on January 14, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:Just a thought. a "National Steel" is a type of guitar (made by the National String Instrument Corp). So, it fits in with what Echo and Infallible said, except she's actually asking her father to help her buy a guitar. Beautiful song...

  Flag pipKoon July 02, 2009   Link

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  My Interpretation:I'm pretty close to what Echo said. She's hit hard times and swallowed her pride enough to call home for money. But her father can't drop being hard and difficult, so he gives her the runaround and a guilt trip before denying her request. It's pretty much the last straw that ended their relationship. He traded his daughter and the $2000 she asked for in order to continue being as hard as steel.

  Flag infallibleon February 21, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:i think she is going through something real bad in her life, so she called home. it seems they(her and father) have a bad relationship and he is the last person she can turn to for help. "I wouldn't have asked, saved you the task, if I weren't for real." thats kinda what i get from the song, could be wrong...who knows

  Flag echo2247on May 15, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:Man! I came here hoping to understand this song, cos I honestlyy don't have a clue. i love the song, but could someone tell me what it's about? My theory is that it's about a lousy relationship someone has with their father but who knows?

  Flag dark_maiden101on August 21, 2006   Link

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