Tangled Up in Blue
Indigo Girls Lyrics

Early one morning the sun was shining
At the start of a new day, with bright sunlight shining, everything seemed hopeful.

I was laying in bed
I was still in bed, contemplating and reflecting on my past relationship.

Wondering if she'd changed at all
Curious if she underwent any personal transformation.

If her hair was still red
Questioning whether her appearance had remained the same, specifically her red hair.

Her folks they said our lives together
Her parents warned that our life together would be challenging and difficult.

Sure was gonna be rough
Indicating that our relationship would face numerous hardships and obstacles.

They never did like mama's homemade dress
Her parents never approved or appreciated her mother's handmade dress.

Papa's bank book wasn't big enough
Her father's financial resources were insufficient or inadequate in their eyes.

Me I'm standing on the side of the road
I find myself on the roadside, unsure of my next move.

Rain falling on my shoes
The rain symbolizes the difficulties and challenges that I'm currently facing.

I'm heading out to the east coast
I'm embarking on a journey towards the east coast, seeking new opportunities.

Lord knows I've paid some dues
Expressing that I have experienced and endured hardships and struggles in my life.

Getting through
Attempting to navigate and overcome the hurdles that come my way.

Tangled up in blue
Feeling entangled and emotionally connected to the memories and complexities of the past relationship.

She was married when we first met
When we initially encountered each other, she was already married to someone else.

Soon to be divorced
Indicating that her marriage was on the brink of ending through divorce.

I helped her out of a jam I guess
I assisted her in a difficult situation, possibly referring to emotional support or rescue.

But I used a little too much force
Admitting that I may have exerted excessive effort or influence in helping her.

And we drove that car as far as we could
Together, we traveled as far as possible in our shared car.

Abandoned it out west
Eventually, we left the car behind in western regions, perhaps symbolizing the end of our journey together.

We split up on a sad dark night
On a somber and gloomy night, we decided to go our separate ways.

Both agreeing it was best
Mutually acknowledging and accepting that our separation was the right decision.

She turned around and looked at me
As I walked away, she glanced back at me, symbolizing a lingering connection.

As I was walking away
While I was leaving the situation and moving forward.

Then I heard her say over my shoulder
From behind me, she whispered words that reached my ears.

We'll meet again someday
Implying that our paths will cross once more in the future.

On the avenue
Referring to a specific place, suggesting a potential location for our reunion.

Tangled up in blue
Emphasizing that our connection, despite separation, remains intertwined and difficult to untangle.

I was living in the great north woods
During a period, I resided in the vast forests of the northern regions.

Working as a cook for a spell
Employed temporarily as a cook, indicating a transitory job and lifestyle.

I never did like it all that much
Admitting that I didn't particularly enjoy or find fulfillment in that line of work.

And one day the axe just fell
Unexpectedly, I lost my job or faced a significant setback.

So I drifted down to new orleans
Consequently, I aimlessly traveled south to New Orleans.

Where I happened to be employed
Coincidentally, I found employment while being there.

Yeah I was working for a while on a fishing boat
Engaged in work on a fishing vessel, spending a considerable time in that occupation.

Right outside of de la croix
In close proximity to the area known as De La Croix.

And all the while I was alone
Throughout that period, I experienced profound solitude.

The past was close behind
The memories and events of the past were constantly present and affecting me.

I'd seen a lot of women
Over time, I encountered and interacted with numerous women.

But she never escaped my mind
Despite meeting others, she remained persistently on my thoughts and in my memories.

And I just grew
Within this experience, I matured and developed.

Tangled up in blue
Continuing to wrestle with the emotional entanglement and complex feelings caused by this connection.

She was working at a topless bar
She found employment at a nightclub where the performers were partially nude.

And I stopped in for a beer
I visited the establishment to have a drink, potentially out of curiosity or to see her.

I just kept looking at the side of her face
My attention was fixated on the profile of her face, captivated by her presence.

In the spotlight so clear
I observed her under the bright spotlight, making her clearly visible and captivating.

Now later on as the crowd thinned out
As time passed and the number of people decreased in the venue.

And I was just about to do the same
When I was preparing to leave, following the dispersal of the crowd.

Yeah but she was standing there at the back of my chair
However, I noticed her presence as she stood behind my seat.

She said don't I know your name
She expressed recognition and questioned whether she knew my name.

Well I muttered something underneath my breath
I softly spoke some words under my breath, possibly due to nervousness or hesitation.

She studied the lines on my face
She carefully examined the features and expressions on my face, seeking familiarity or understanding.

I must admit I felt a little uneasy
Confessing that I experienced a sense of unease or discomfort in that moment.

When she bent down to tie the laces
As she leaned down to tie my shoelaces, emphasizing a physical closeness and intimacy.

Of my shoes
Specifically attending to the laces on my shoes.

We were tangled up in blue
Demonstrating that our connection endured, still entangled and complex despite the passage of time.

She lit a burner on the stove
She ignited a burner on the stove, preparing to cook or heat something.

And offered me a pipe
She extended a pipe, suggesting the act of smoking together.

I thought you'd never say hello she said
She expressed surprise or relief that I finally initiated a conversation or greeting.

You look like the silent type
Commenting on my appearance and demeanor, indicating that I appear reserved or introverted.

And then she opened up a book of poems
Subsequently, she started to read from a book containing a collection of poems.

And handed it to me
Passing the book to me, allowing me to explore its contents.

Written by an italian poet
The poems within the book were authored by an Italian poet.

From the 13th century
The poet's work originated in the 13th century, representing an era far removed from the present.

Every one of his words rang true
The timeless essence of every poem resonated with authenticity and sincerity.

And glowed like burning coal
The words had a radiant and intense quality, vibrant like a burning coal.

Pouring off every page
The poems seemed to flow and overflow from each and every page of the book.

Like it was written in my soul
Suggesting that the poems had a profound connection to my own being and innermost self.

From me to you
Implying that the poems served as a bridge between the poet and myself, conveying deep emotions and experiences.

Tangled up in blue
Again emphasizing the entangled nature of our connection, with the color blue possibly symbolizing a sense of melancholy or longing.

I lived with them on montague street
During a certain period, I resided with them on Montague Street.

In a basement down the stairs yeah
Specifically, I occupied a basement room accessible by descending the stairs.

There was music in the cafes at night
The cafes in the area were filled with music during the nighttime, creating a lively atmosphere.

And revolution in the air
A sense of revolution and political change was prevalent, suggesting an era of social upheaval and activism.

That's when he started into dealing with slaves yeah
At that time, he began engaging in the illicit trade and exploitation of enslaved individuals.

Something inside of her died just died
Something within her, perhaps her spirit or innocence, perished or was extinguished.

And she had to sell everything she owned
She was compelled to sell all her possessions due to circumstances or hardships.

And she froze up inside
She experienced emotional and psychological paralysis, being unable to move forward or recover from her losses.

Finally the bottom fell out
Eventually, she reached a breaking point or a moment of total collapse.

I became withdrawn
In response to the circumstances and the emotional impact, I withdrew or became emotionally distant.

The only thing I knew how to do
Feeling limited in my abilities or options, I relied on the only skill I possessed.

Was to keep on keepin' on
The only choice available to me was to persist and continue moving forward.

Like a bird that flew
Drawing an analogy to a bird taking flight, symbolizing my need to keep moving and searching.

Tangled up in blue
Despite the challenges and difficulties, I remained enmeshed and connected to the memories and emotions of this past relationship.

Now I'm headed back again
Now, I'm returning to a familiar place or person.

I gotta get to her somehow
Expressing a strong determination and urgency to reach her, no matter the obstacles.

And all the people we used to know
Reflecting on the individuals we were once acquainted with or shared experiences alongside.

They're an illusion to me now
Acknowledging that those people and the memories associated with them have become unreal or distant.

Some are mathematicians
Some of those individuals pursued mathematics as their profession or area of expertise.

Some are carpenter's wives
Others became wives or partners of carpenters.

I don't know how they all got started
Unsure of the origins or paths each person took in their lives.

I don't know what they're doing with their lives
Unaware of the current endeavors or pursuits of those individuals.

But me I'm still on the road
In contrast, I'm still traveling and navigating through life's journey.

Headed for another joint
Continuing to move forward, aiming for another place or destination.

We always did feel the same
Highlighting the inherent and consistent sense of familiarity and connection we shared.

We just saw it from a different point
Although we experienced a shared perspective, each of us viewed it from a slightly different angle or viewpoint.

Of view
Referring to our individual viewpoints and perspectives on life and our relationship.

Tangled up in blue
Concluding with a reiteration of the enduring emotional entanglement and complexity represented by the color blue.

I know I know I know
Emphasizing a deep understanding or certainty.

Yeah yeah oh yeah
Expressing agreement and affirmation, along with a sense of enthusiasm or excitement.