The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow

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  My Interpretation:I think that is all to literal. I think the song is about having sins or guilts that are impossible to carry. You can't go back and fix them, and no matter how far you set yourself from them they still keep you awake at night. You're just left with this heavy burden. There is no forgiveness and you feel as even God himself wouldn't forgive you so, you are nothing more than a dead man/woman walking.

  Flag aafrazier82on June 12, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:OMG!!! I LOVE THIS SONG! AMAZING LYRICS, MUSIC, AND OVERALL FEEL TO THIS SONG! WOW!

  Flag megallion October 20, 2011   Link

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  Song Meaning:In the lyric "It's not Alabama clay / That gives my trembling hands away"
  I think he means there's literal blood on his hands. If you look up images of "Alabama clay," you'll see that the clay is a rusty red color that might be mistaken for blood, or vice versa.
  
  Also, when he says "I'm a dead man walking here / but that's the least of all my fears" I think he's saying that the law calls for his death, but while he's not afraid of dying, he's afraid of going to hell.

  Flag RoslynBlackon July 04, 2011   Link

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    I agree with you I think you're dead on when it come to those lines.

    Flag morebitoon September 10, 2011  
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  General Comment:I'm a dead man walking here - he killed someone and he may as well be dead according to the law
  But that's the least of all my fears - he doesn't care about the law
  Ooh, underneath the water - the proof of what he did is underneath the water
  
  It's not Alabama clay - ? hmmm... maybe the water talked about above is in Alabama somewhere?
  That gives my trembling hands away - he's not scared because of that
  Please forgive me father - he wants god to forgive him
  
  Ain't going back to Barton Hollow - they're never going back to Barton Hollow, which may be where they killed
  Devil gonna follow me e'er I go - pretty much explains itself
  Won't do me no good washing in the river - cleansing themselves of evil now wont do them anygood now?
  Can't no preacher man save my soul - no preacher can save them from hell
  
  Did that full moon force my hand? - they wonder what caused them to kill
  Or that un marked hundred grand? - maybe they killed for money
  Ooh, underneath the water - underneath the water is the evidence
  Please forgive me father - wants god to forgive hthem
  
  Miles and miles in my bare feet - they run from the cops miles and miles
  Still can't lay me down to sleep - no matter how exhausted they are the guilt wont let them sleep
  If I die before I wake
  I know the Lord my soul won't take - if they die they know they are going to hell
  
  I'm a dead man walking - hes doomed
  I'm a dead man walking
  
  Keep walking and running and running for miles - they run from the cops
  Keep walking and running and running for miles
  Keep walking and running and running for miles
  
  Ain't going back to Barton Hollow - same as above
  Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
  Won't do me no good washing in the river
  Can't no preacher man save my soul
  
  thats the literal interpretation. but figuratively they did somethin bad and are running from their guilt but it keeps finding them and they dont think they are going to be forgiven, and then go to hell.

  Flag jarshikahon April 18, 2011   Link

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    Perhaps the Alabama clay is referring to the clay that appears near riverbeds, as if he dirtied his hands while disposing of the body. Anyway, I think you pretty much nailed it.

    Flag ashesmuseon April 26, 2011  

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    Yep thats Perfect

    Flag KimmieKupcakeon June 23, 2011  

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    The reason he states it's not Alabama clay is because Barton Hollow is an actual place in Tennessee just across the Alabama state line. As for the rest of the song, I'd say you are dead on.

    Flag PlunkaDunkon June 29, 2011  

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