Ballad Of Miss Kate
Matt Costa Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You gave me your word, then you took your word back
Where once I had faith now all I see is black
Black seeing black
I gave you up rather than giving in
Where once there was virtue, it's fallen to sin
Black seeing black

You gave me your word
Then you flew like a bird
Never looking back
You can run, you can try
But you won't get away this time

You played me for a fool, in your heart you had deceit
I made you up inside my mind, when finally you I meet
You had turned black turning black
I never could have seen how you'd shoot that 44
You hit me right below the shoulder, I fell to the floor
I'm on my back, on my back

You shot me with your gun
Then you run, run, run, run
Never looking back
You can run into the street
My tire tracks you will soon meet
And if you run into the woods
I'll chop you down just like a tree

I rolled into town from years spent in my sleep
The word that the people held was that your price is cheap
Your price is cheap, price is cheap
The house with the red light on and fancy decor
You built your new life hastily so now I find you poor
I find you poor, find you poor

The sheriff found you out
There is guaranteed no doubt
You ain't coming back
We watched you catch a railroad car
That didn't get you very far
And when you finally met your match
We watched you kiss the railroad tracks





Black seeing black

Overall Meaning

The Ballad of Miss Kate by Matt Costa tells the story of a woman who deceives her lover, leading him to lose faith and trust in her. The lyrics talk about how the man had faith in the woman but she took her word back leaving him feeling betrayed, seeing everything in black. The song includes a metaphor of "flying like a bird" which refers to the woman leaving and not looking back, trying to escape from the consequences of her actions. The man in the song doesn't give in to the deceit and decides to move on rather than staying with someone who has turned black or dishonest.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the woman has played the man for a fool, and the consequences are dire. She shoots him with a 44, leaving him injured and on his back. The man then pledges to get even but ends up rolling into town only to find that the woman has lost everything and is rushed out of town by the sheriff. The song includes a message that dishonesty and betrayal come with consequences, and they will catch up with you eventually.


Line by Line Meaning

You gave me your word, then you took your word back
I trusted you, but you broke your promise and went back on your word


Where once I had faith now all I see is black
I used to believe in you, but now I see only darkness or evil


Black seeing black
A continuation of the previous line, emphasizing the darkness and negativity of the situation


I gave you up rather than giving in
Instead of compromising my values or beliefs, I chose to end our relationship


Where once there was virtue, it's fallen to sin
Your good qualities or morality have turned into bad ones, leading to immoral behavior


You gave me your word
You made a promise to me


Then you flew like a bird
You left quickly and without warning


Never looking back
You didn't have any regrets or consideration for what happened before


You can run, you can try
You can attempt to escape or evade the consequences


But you won't get away this time
However, you will not be able to avoid facing the repercussions this time


You played me for a fool, in your heart you had deceit
You manipulated me and were dishonest, despite what you truly felt


I made you up inside my mind, when finally you I meet
I had imagined you to be someone else, and was disappointed when I finally met you in person


You had turned black turning black
Your behavior and personality had become even worse than before


I never could have seen how you'd shoot that 44
I did not anticipate that you would act so recklessly and harmfully, such as using a gun


You hit me right below the shoulder, I fell to the floor
You physically harmed me, causing me to fall to the ground


I'm on my back, on my back
I am lying on the ground, possibly injured or defeated


You shot me with your gun
You wounded me with a weapon


Then you run, run, run, run
You quickly fled the scene


You can run into the street
You can try to escape by running out into public


My tire tracks you will soon meet
However, I will track you down and find you


And if you run into the woods
If you attempt to hide in the woods


I'll chop you down just like a tree
I will harm you or cause you to fall like a tree being cut down


I rolled into town from years spent in my sleep
I arrived in town after being away for a long time, perhaps in isolation or hibernation


The word that the people held was that your price is cheap
The local gossip or rumors stated that you were of little worth or value


Your price is cheap, price is cheap
Emphasizing the low worth or significance of the subject


The house with the red light on and fancy decor
A description of a location, likely a brothel or similar establishment


You built your new life hastily so now I find you poor
You quickly established a new identity or lifestyle, but it has left you worse off or impoverished


I find you poor, find you poor
Reiterating the previous line, expressing disappointment or pity


The sheriff found you out
You were discovered or caught by the law enforcement


There is guaranteed no doubt
It is certain and indisputable


You ain't coming back
You will not return or escape punishment


We watched you catch a railroad car
You were observed boarding a train or departing from the area


That didn't get you very far
Despite your attempt to escape, it was unsuccessful and you did not travel very far


And when you finally met your match
When you ultimately encountered someone who was able to hold you accountable or bring you to justice


We watched you kiss the railroad tracks
You were either killed or injured by the train, as a metaphor for facing the consequences of your actions




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Y, MATTHEW ALBERT COSTA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions