Lament
Matt Mattox Lyrics
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Lonesome, sad and blue
'Cause I ain′t got no
Feminine polecat
Vowing to be true
Can't make no vows to a herd of cows
I'm a mean old hound dog
′Cause I ain't got no
Lady friend hound dog
Here to hear my tune
A man can′t sleep when he sleeps with sheep
I'm a little old hoot owl
Hootin′ in the trees
'Cause I ain′t got no
Little gal owl pal
Here to shoot the breeze
Can't shoot no breeze with a bunch of trees
Matt Mattox's song Lament tells the sad tale of a lonesome polecat, hound dog, and hoot owl, all of whom express a common feeling of isolation and longing for companionship. The polecat is saddened by the absence of a female polecat, someone to make a vow of love to and to be loved by in return. The hound dog feels the same way; he desperately wants someone to hear his bay to the moon and to share his life with. The hoot owl laments his lack of a little gal owl pal with whom he can converse and pass the time. All three animals recognize that they cannot find the fulfillment they seek in the company of cows, sheep, or trees.
The lyrics are a metaphor for human loneliness and the need for companionship. It is a song that evokes empathy from the listener as the singer's plaintive voice resonates with a deep-seated need for connection. The song highlights the power of music to connect people and to soothe aching hearts. The lyrics appeal not just to the animal in us, but also to the human in us who longs for love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a lonesome polecat
Feeling lonely and isolated like a polecat, a kind of weasel.
Lonesome, sad and blue
Feeling isolated, unhappy, and unloved.
'Cause I ain′t got no
Feminine polecat
Vowing to be true
Feeling lonely because there is no female polecat who has promised to be faithful.
Can't make no vows to a herd of cows
There's no point in making vows to a group of cows - they won't understand or reciprocate.
I'm a mean old hound dog
Feeling ornery and bad-tempered like a hound dog.
Bayin′ to the moon
Howling at the moon out of loneliness and frustration.
'Cause I ain't got no
Lady friend hound dog
Here to hear my tune
Feeling lonely because there is no female hound dog to hear and appreciate his howling.
A man can′t sleep when he sleeps with sheep
Sleeping with sheep won't give a man the same comfort and companionship as sleeping with a partner.
I'm a little old hoot owl
Feeling small and insignificant like a common owl.
Hootin′ in the trees
Making lonely noises in the hope of attracting a mate.
'Cause I ain′t got no
Little gal owl pal
Here to shoot the breeze
Feeling lonely because there is no female owl to chat with and pass the time.
Can't shoot no breeze with a bunch of trees
Talking to trees won't provide the same companionship as talking to another owl.
Contributed by Isaiah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.