Mexico City
Jolie Holland Lyrics

Jack and Edie lying across my bed
Jack and Edie, who are probably high, are resting on my bed.

Flying high like the spirits of the dead
Jack and Edie are heavily under the influence and probably carefree.

The living and the dead, the living and the dead
Probably refers to the likes of Jack and Edie as the living, and the literal dead, like Our Lady of Sorrows.

Our Lady of Sorrows and the long dark night
Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of grief and sadness, probably referring to the metaphorical darkness people carry.

How many candles could I light
The artist is probably considering how much solace they could find in prayer/lit candles, to alleviate their current spiritual state.

For the living and the dead, the living and the dead?
Again, juxtaposing seemingly opposing entities, the living and the dead, and weighing the impact a ritualistic gesture, like lighting candles, could have on either.

What's that black smoke rising Jack, is the world on fire?
The singer is probably observing Jack getting high and noticing the smoke rising up. There may or may not be metaphorical meaning attached to it as well.

What's that distant singing, is it a heavenly choir?
Again, observing Jack and Edie getting high, and probably hearing something vocal in the distance.

I think about you Jack watching the TV
Thinking about Jack, a constant in her/his life, via an image of him watching TV.

And drinking booze, shame on you, shame on me
Disapproving of Jack's habits, while also being complicit in alcohol consumption.

But how can we help it there was no where else to go
Justifying their actions because they had no other options, insofar as drinking and getting high are concerned.

I sent Julie and Billy out on that long hard road
Sending Julie and Billy on some sort of difficult journey on behalf of the artist.

On that long hard road, on that long hard road
Reiterating the idea of a difficult journey.

I'm just back from Mexico city
The singer has returned from Mexico City, likely after some time spent there.

I came back north to Texas to rest my weary head
Returning to the North, Texas, to hopefully find some peace and solace.

My true love is fresh from the battle field
The artist's true love has recently come from some sort of intense experience, likely involving war or conflict.

Sewing up the dying and carting off the dead
The true love, presumably a doctor or medic of some sort, is doing important, lifesaving work in the face of death.

My baby don't stand no fighting amongst the living or the dead
The singer's lover will not tolerate any sort of violence or conflict, whether it be among the living or the dead.

The living and the dead, the living and the dead
Reiterating the seeming duality of living and dead, while also tying it in with the lover's pacifist beliefs.