One, two, three, four
At the dark end of the street
That's where we always meet
Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
Living in darkness, to hide alone
You and me,
At the dark end of the street
You and me
I know a time has gonna take its toll
We'll have to pay for the love we stole
Oh, it's a sin and we know that we're wrong
Oh, but our love keeps coming on strong
You and me,
At the dark end of the street
You and me
They gonna find us, they gonna find us
They gonna find us someday
We'll steal away
To the dark end of the street
You and me

If you take a walk downtown
And find some time to look around
If you should see me and I walk on by
Oh, darling, please don't cry
Tonight we'll meet
At the dark end of the street
You and me
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me (you and me)
You and me

Overall Meaning

The Flying Burrito Brothers' song "Dark End of the Street" is a soulful ballad about a secret love affair between two individuals who meet at the dark end of the street, where they don't belong. Despite knowing that it is a sin and that they will have to pay for their actions, their love keeps growing stronger. They fear that one day they will be caught, but they promise to meet again at the dark end of the street where they feel safe and can be together.

The song conveys a sense of heartbreak and desperation, as the couple knows that the circumstances of their relationship will never allow them to be together openly. Their only respite is to meet secretly at night where they can profess their love for each other. The lyrics speak to the idea that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected places, and that it can flourish even under the most difficult and challenging circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

One, two, three, four
Counting up to emphasize the beginning of a story

At the dark end of the street
Describing the setting where two people meet secretly

That's where we always meet
Stating the habitual nature of their meetings

Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
Referring to their secretive and possibly illegal actions

Living in darkness, to hide alone
Further emphasizing the secrecy and isolation of the couple

You and me,
Addressing the other person in the relationship

At the dark end of the street
Repeating the setting to emphasize its importance

You and me
Repeating the address to remind the other person of their connection

I know a time has gonna take its toll
Acknowledging the future consequences of their actions

We'll have to pay for the love we stole
Admitting that they are doing something wrong and will face punishment

Oh, it's a sin and we know that we're wrong
Stating the obvious moral transgression and guilt of the situation

Oh, but our love keeps coming on strong
Contrasting the taboo nature of their relationship with the strength of their feelings

They gonna find us, they gonna find us
Expressing the fear and inevitability of being caught

They gonna find us someday
Accepting that their secret will eventually be discovered

We'll steal away
Suggesting that they will continue to escape as long as they can

To the dark end of the street
Planning to return to their secret meeting place

You and me
Reiterating their shared experience and partnership

If you take a walk downtown
Addressing the listener and suggesting a hypothetical scenario

And find some time to look around
Encouraging observation and awareness

If you should see me and I walk on by
Creating a scenario where the two people pass each other unnoticed

Oh, darling, please don't cry
Offering comfort to a hypothetical upset lover

Tonight we'll meet
Promising another secret rendezvous

At the dark end of the street
Repeating the familiar location

You and me
Reiterating their shared experience and partnership

You and me (you and me)
Repeating the address and emphasizing their connection

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