The Proof
Jill Tracy Lyrics

Dear old Mattie Burton
Mattie Burton was an elderly individual who struggled with uncertainty throughout her life.

She was always so uncertain
Mattie Burton constantly dealt with doubt and unease in various aspects of her life.

The moment that would end her life
Her existence would ultimately conclude with an event that ends her life.

Came with her husband's hunting knife
Mattie Burton's spouse utilized their knife meant for hunting to take her life away from her.

The precocious Phineas Ray
Phineas Ray was a very bright and gifted individual.

Never felt the need to pray
Phineas Ray did not believe that he had to or required to participate in religious practices, such as prayer.

Knelt with a bullet to his head
Phineas Ray knelt before a bullet that would fatally wound him.

Had a note pinned to the bed
Written words meant for others to read were attached to the bed he was kneeling by.

That read...
What followed in the next line were the contents of the note.

I want to believe in something
A desire for some form of faith, assurance or conviction.

I'm still searching for the truth
Even though the note-writer wants to believe in something, they are still looking for answers or the correct stance to take regarding their standpoint on existence.

I've finally found the proof
The individual finally found sufficient substantial evidence or verification in whatever they had been seeking out so as to have faith in its existence.

Agoraphobic Walter Strauss
Walter Strauss was a person hindered by agoraphobia, the fear of places or situations that might cause panic, entrapment, or embarrassment.

Never ever left the house
Walter Strauss was too afraid to ever venture out of his residence for fear of something happening to him.

Looking for salvation there
Walter Strauss put his hope and faith into the security of his household as his means of finding safety and redemption.

He threw himself down the cellar stair
Despite his efforts, Walter Strauss's life still ended in tragedy as he threw himself down the cellar stairs, which resulted in his death.

Little Anna would not eat
Anna was an individual who refused to consume food.

A skeleton from head to feet
Anna's physical condition deteriorated to the point of being nothing but skin and bones.

Afflicted with society's ills
Anna's refusal to eat was likely due to the pressure and negative influence of societal standards surrounding the ideal body type.

Sometimes it is only the mirror that kills
The individual's own reflection can be a source of self-loathing or negative self-image, which ultimately leads to their demise.

It hangs there still...
The person's mirror still exists and may still have a harmful impact on those who use it.

They thought Reginald was fine
Reginald's well-being and mental health were considered to be good or satisfactory.

Despite the voices inside his mind
However, Reginald was plagued with voices or thoughts in his mind that threatened his sanity and wellness.

He silenced them with the roar that came
Reginald was able to briefly overcome and eliminate these thoughts by letting out a loud, primal scream of anger and frustration.

As he locked eyes with the northbound train
This happened as Reginald looked directly into the path of a train moving in a northerly direction.

Far beneath the angry sea
Deep under the surface of the ocean where the water was rough and turbulent.

Edward saw tranquility
Despite the chaotic waters, Edward found peace and solace beneath the ocean's surface.

Sweetly smothered by the waves
Edward found comfort and safety despite the power of the ocean's waves above him.

He submerged to his watery grave
Unfortunately, Edward's desire for peace and protection led to his eventual death as he sank down to the ocean floor where he would be buried forever.

Where he remains...
Edward's remains, like his body, are still underwater and are unlikely to be exposed again.