I remember
Starting with a moment of reflection, the narrator recalls a past memory.

Ooh, how the darkness doubled
An eerie feeling of darkness and confusion intensifies.

I recall
Continuing the recollection of a past memory.

Lightning struck itself
A vivid and unusual image is remembered or imagined.

I was listening
The narrator shifts to a present tense moment of listening and observing.

Listening to the rain
Specifically, the narrator is listening to the sound of rain falling.

I was hearing
Continuing the focus on the sense of hearing.

Hearing something else
Something unexpected or unusual is heard in addition to the sound of rain.

Life in the hive puckered up my nights
The narrator reflects on a difficult period in their life, where they felt constricted and trapped.

A kiss of death, the embrace of life
The narrator describes their conflicting feelings about this difficult period: it was both destructive and life-giving.

Ooh, there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
The narrator visualizes themselves standing in a particular place, represented metaphorically by the 'Marquee Moon.'

Just waiting
The narrator is in a state of anticipation or indecision, unsure of what will happen next.

I spoke to a man down at the tracks
Switching to a past moment of conversation, the narrator shares something they learned from a complete stranger.

And I ask him
The narrator initiates the conversation, expressing curiosity or concern.

How he don't go mad
The narrator asks how the man is able to stay sane in a world full of chaos and confusion.

He said, "Look here, junior, don't you be so happy
The man responds to the narrator by cautioning them to moderate their emotions.

And for heaven's sake, don't you be so sad"
The man further advises the narrator to take a balanced approach to life.

Well, the Cadillac
Shifting back to the present moment, the narrator describes a surprising event that occurred.

It pulled out of the graveyard
A car, specifically a Cadillac, emerges from an unexpected place.

Pulled up to me
The car comes to a stop next to the narrator.

All they said, "Get in, get in"
The occupants of the car invite the narrator to join them.

Then the Cadillac
The car starts up again.

It puttered back into the graveyard
Just as suddenly as it appeared, the car disappears into the same unexpected place it came from.

Me, I got out again
The narrator declined the offer to join the mysterious passengers and remains where they started.

But I ain't waiting, uh-uh
The narrator resolves not to remain indecisive or stagnant, and takes action.