I think this whole song is a kind of exploration of the mix of innocence and sexuality and dysfunction inherent to life. All of these are emphasized by the main characters being described as young. I think of this song starting out talking about the innocence and dominion of youth, making everything the castle to your kingship as you run through the woods, playing. In the next verse, you learn that the other kid shares a father with the narrator, but different mothers. The parents don't get along, the dad doesn't hide his dissatisfaction (throwing garbage across the floor), and the children's escape from this hell is their sexual experimentation. The third verse is a sex scene between the half siblings. The final verse farther explains the poor conditions of a black-out drunk mother and a tortured, unhappy father that wants nothing but out of the situation.
I also think there's something to the alternation between happiness and dysfunction. The happiness coming from the children together, moving from innocence into awareness. The dysfunction coming along whenever the parents enter the picture, being the evil that causes their early maturity, strengthening their bond. The children are together in overcoming their situation, or at least get each other through it.
I think this whole song is a kind of exploration of the mix of innocence and sexuality and dysfunction inherent to life. All of these are emphasized by the main characters being described as young. I think of this song starting out talking about the innocence and dominion of youth, making everything the castle to your kingship as you run through the woods, playing. In the next verse, you learn that the other kid shares a father with the narrator, but different mothers. The parents don't get along, the dad doesn't hide his dissatisfaction (throwing garbage across the floor), and the children's escape from this hell is their sexual experimentation. The third verse is a sex scene between the half siblings. The final verse farther explains the poor conditions of a black-out drunk mother and a tortured, unhappy father that wants nothing but out of the situation.
I also think there's something to the alternation between happiness and dysfunction. The happiness coming from the children together, moving from innocence into awareness. The dysfunction coming along whenever the parents enter the picture, being the evil that causes their early maturity, strengthening their bond. The children are together in overcoming their situation, or at least get each other through it.