Black Lung
16 Horsepower Lyrics
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Seen that tight-lipped grin
I could tell from a mile away
Boy you weren't my kin
You best put a bridle on bridle on that tongue
Save your breath for breathin' buddy
An' run run
Who's that feller next to me
Speakin' from the left hand
An' jumpin' out his skin
Well, maybe he's my old man
The one with the wooden eyes
You'd think after all this time
He'd find a better place to hide
Cuttin' up with battin' eyes
I seen that paint on smile
Aw girl I could see you comin'
For a country mile
You bes' put a bridle on bridle on that tongue
Save your breath for breathin' girl
I'm talkin' from black lungs
The lyrics to 16 Horsepower's song "Black Lung" are a haunting tale about a man who seems to be dealing with some deep-seated anger and resentment. The song begins with him noticing someone with a "tight-lipped grin" who he knows isn't his kin. The singer urges this person to keep quiet and to save their breath for running away. The next verse describes another man, possibly the singer's father, with a "big house grin" who talks out of turn and is nervous. The singer seems ambivalent about this man, saying he might be his old man but also suggesting that he should find a better place to hide. The singer concludes the song by addressing a woman who he knows is trying to deceive him. He tells her to keep quiet and save her breath because he's "talkin' from black lungs."
It's clear from the lyrics that this man is dealing with some kind of deep-seated pain, likely physical as well as emotional. The reference to "black lungs" suggests that he may be a coal miner or someone who has worked in a similar profession. The image of someone with wooden eyes is also striking, suggesting perhaps that the singer feels his father is blinded to his own faults. Overall, the lyrics suggest a feeling of alienation and resentment, as the singer seems unwilling or unable to connect with those around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Walkin' up with winkin' eyes
Approaching with a sly or mischievous expression
Seen that tight-lipped grin
Noted the closed mouth smile, indicating secretiveness or reluctance to speak
I could tell from a mile away
It was immediately evident to me even from a great distance
Boy you weren't my kin
Despite appearances suggesting we might be related, we are not
You best put a bridle on bridle on that tongue
It would be wise for you to control your speech and avoid unnecessary talk
Save your breath for breathin' buddy
Conserve your energy and use your breath for necessary activities, not idle conversation
An' run run
Flee or get away as quickly as possible
Who's that feller next to me
Who is the person standing beside me?
With the big house grin
Sporting a wide and artificial smile, as if trying to impress or deceive
Speakin' from the left hand
Talking with a duplicitous or untrustworthy manner
An' jumpin' out his skin
Appearing nervous, agitated or anxious
Well, maybe he's my old man
Perhaps he is my father, although I am uncertain
The one with the wooden eyes
The person with expressionless or lifeless eyes
You'd think after all this time
One might expect things to be different, or improved, by now
He'd find a better place to hide
He would have discovered a more suitable or effective means of avoiding detection or attention
Cuttin' up with battin' eyes
Flirting or engaging in playful banter, accompanied by batting eyelashes
I seen that paint on smile
I noticed that the smile was artificial or fake, like makeup or paint on skin
Aw girl I could see you comin'
I anticipated or predicted your arrival or intentions
For a country mile
From a great distance or for a long time
You bes' put a bridle on bridle on that tongue
It would be wise for you to control your speech and avoid unnecessary talk
Save your breath for breathin' girl
Conserve your energy and use your breath for necessary activities, not idle conversation
I'm talkin' from black lungs
I am communicating from a place of illness, suffering or sorrow
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID EUGENE EDWARDS, JEAN-YVES TOLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dale Lenting
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