Ragged Company
Grace Potter Lyrics
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To my disbelief
I'm cursing like a sailor and lying like a thief
It's hard to heed the calling from the better side of me
When I'm blaming everybody else and no one's coming clean
O lord can you see my thick skin wearing thin
And the demons of a lesser me are beckoning me in
Cause I am my own ragged company
You can take a trip to china or take a boat to Spain
take a blue canoe around the world and never come back again
But traveling don't change a thing, it only makes it worse
Unless the trip you take is in to change your cruel course
'Cause every town's got a mirror and every mirror still shows me
That I am my own ragged company
O lord it's lonely, lord it's mighty cold
And I don't want to live this way
Afraid of growing old
It's hard to heed the warning when you cannot see the crime
The only way to remember is to forget in a rhyme
And I'm scared to tread the red road that leads to galilee
Cause I am my own ragged company
The song "Ragged Company" by Grace Potter can be analyzed as an introspective and honest exploration of personal struggles and inner demons, as well as a reflection on the human condition of loneliness and self-doubt. The lyrics convey the singer's feelings of frustration with herself and with others, as she finds it hard to live up to her own expectations and to connect with those around her. The opening lines, "O Lord, I think I'm falling / To my disbelief / I'm cursing like a sailor and lying like a thief," suggest that she is grappling with a sense of moral and emotional disorientation, as she realizes she is not behaving as she should and is disconnected from her true values. The image of a "thick skin wearing thin" and "demons of a lesser me" alludes to the inner turmoil and self-destructive tendencies that she is struggling to overcome.
The chorus, "Cause I am my own ragged company," emphasizes the idea that we are all ultimately alone with ourselves and our flaws, and that we have to confront and accept them in order to grow and change. The metaphor of a ragged company suggests a group of misfits or outcasts who are united by their imperfections and struggles, and who have to rely on each other for support and understanding. The lines "But traveling don't change a thing, it only makes it worse / Unless the trip you take is into change your cruel course" suggest that escape or avoidance are not the answers to dealing with personal issues, but rather facing them head-on and making conscious efforts to improve oneself.
Overall, "Ragged Company" can be seen as a poignant and relatable meditation on the human journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, with its ups and downs and challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
O lord I think I'm falling
I feel like I'm losing control and falling apart
To my disbelief
I can't believe that things are happening this way
I'm cursing like a sailor and lying like a thief
I'm being dishonest and vulgar in my behavior
It's hard to heed the calling from the better side of me
It's difficult to listen to my conscience and do the right thing
When I'm blaming everybody else and no one's coming clean
I am blaming others for my own mistakes and no one is admitting their own faults
O lord can you see my thick skin wearing thin
I'm becoming more vulnerable and sensitive
And the demons of a lesser me are beckoning me in
My worst qualities are tempting me to give in and act on them
Those who gathered'round me - I'm watching them all leave
Everyone around me is abandoning me because of my behavior
Cause I am my own ragged company
I am responsible for my own problems and isolation
You can take a trip to china or take a boat to Spain
Physical travel won't change the root of my problems
take a blue canoe around the world and never come back again
Traveling far away won't help me escape from myself
But traveling don't change a thing, it only makes it worse
Traveling can exacerbate my problems instead of solving them
Unless the trip you take is in to change your cruel course
The only worthwhile trip is one where you actively try to improve your situation
'Cause every town's got a mirror and every mirror still shows me
No matter where I go, I'll still see my flaws reflected in the people around me
That I am my own ragged company
I am responsible for my own problems and isolation
O lord it's lonely, lord it's mighty cold
I am feeling incredibly isolated and vulnerable
And I don't want to live this way
I'm unhappy with my current state but don't know how to change it
Afraid of growing old
I fear that my problems will never improve and I'll be stuck in this unhappy state forever
It's hard to heed the warning when you cannot see the crime
It's difficult to recognize my own faults and change my behavior as a result
The only way to remember is to forget in a rhyme
I find it easier to remember my mistakes if I express them poetically
And I'm scared to tread the red road that leads to galilee
I fear the difficult but necessary journey towards self-improvement
Cause I am my own ragged company
I am responsible for my own problems and isolation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GRACE POTTER, SCOTT TOURNET, MATTHEW P BURR, BRYAN DONDERO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind