Old Red Eyes Is Back
The Beautiful South & The Housemartins Lyrics

Old Red eyes is back
The character Old Red is back in town.

Red from the night before the night before
His eyes are red from drinking heavily the night before last.

Walked into the wrong bar walked into a door
Old Red accidentally walked into the wrong bar and hit his face on a door.

And sitting late at night he doesn't make a sound
Old Red sits in silence late at night.

Just adding to the wrinkles on his deathly frown
His frown is getting deeper and more prominent with time.

They're only red from all the tears that I should've shed
His eyes are only red because he did not cry at the appropriate times.

They're only red from all the women that I could've wed
His eyes are red because he regrets not marrying certain women in his past.

So when you look into these eyes I hope you realize
The character hopes others understand why his eyes are red.

They could never be blue
His eyes could never be blue, which symbolizes something different than red.

Listen up Old Red
Someone is addressing Old Red.

You never listened to a word the doctor said
Old Red ignored the medical advice given to him by a doctor.

He told you if you drank another you'd be dead
The doctor warned Old Red that excessive drinking could kill him.

His shoulders ache all over and his brain is sore
Old Red is experiencing physical discomfort and pain.

He pours a drink and listens to his body thaw
Old Red drinks alcohol to ease his physical pain.

They're only red from all the thoughts unused inside my head
His eyes are red because he did not act upon certain thoughts and ideas.

They're only red from all the things I could have done instead
The character regrets not taking certain opportunities that were available to him.

Blue is a street without an end
Blue symbolizes something limitless and without conclusion.

Red is the color of my hell
Red symbolizes something painful and torturous, like hell.

Blue is a greeting from a friend
Blue symbolizes something friendly and welcoming.

Red is the color of farewell
Red symbolizes something final, like saying goodbye.

Old Red he died
Old Red has passed away.

And every single landlord in the district cried
Old Red was a beloved regular at many bars and establishments in the area.

An empty bottle of whiskey laying by his side
Old Red died with an empty whiskey bottle beside him.

A lazy little tear running from each eye
Even in death, Old Red's eyes remain red and full of tears.

They could never be blue
His eyes could never be blue, which symbolizes something different than red.