The album was re-released on Smithsonian Folkways on CD in 1990 with additional tracks from the 1970s.
The Lost Soul
The Doc Watson Family Lyrics
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When the judgement comes, (repeat)
And the sinners hear (repeat)
Their eternal doom, (repeat)
At the sad decree (repeat)
they'll depart for aye, (repeat)
Into endless woe (repeat)
And gloomless woe and gloom.
I'm paying now (repeat)
the penalty, (repeat)
The unredeemed (that the unredeemed)
Must ever pay; (repeat)
Though for help I cry (repeat)
It's now in vain, (repeat)
For alas I'm doomed (repeat)
for aye (I'm doomed for aye).
If I could recall (repeat)
all the years now gone (repeat)
For my Savior's cause, (repeat)
I would spend each one; (repeat)
But they ne'er again (repeat)
can to me return, (repeat)
And the task is left, and my task
Is left undone (it's left undone).
Oh I realize (repeat)
but alas too late (repeat)
What a dark mistake (repeat)
all my life has been, (repeat)
I refused his live (repeat)
with a various heart, (repeat)
And I must pay (repeat)
the price of sin (repeat).
The Doc Watson Family's song The Lost Soul is a somber and reflective tune that contemplates the consequences of a life lived in sin. The lyrics speak to the inevitability of judgement day and the ultimate fate of the unredeemed. The opening lines set the tone for the song, conveying a sense of mourning and despair: "What an awful day, When the judgement comes, And the sinners hear, Their eternal doom." The repetition of these lines emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and creates a haunting refrain.
As the song progresses, the singer laments his own fate as an unredeemed soul. He expresses regret for not living his life in service of his Savior and acknowledges that he is now paying the price for his mistakes: "I'm paying now the penalty, The unredeemed must ever pay." Despite his cries for help, it is too late for him to be saved, and he resigns himself to his doom: "And I must pay the price of sin."
The final verse of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer reflects on the missed opportunities in his life to serve his Savior: "If I could recall all the years now gone, For my Savior's cause, I would spend each one; But they ne'er again can to me return, And the task is left undone." The repetition of the phrase "the task is left undone" underscores the sense of unfinished business and missed opportunities, leaving the listener with a feeling of melancholy and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
What an awful day
Expressing the feeling of fear and dread on the day of judgement
When the judgement comes
Describing the moment of reckoning when sinners face eternal damnation
And the sinners hear
Conveying the feeling of terror and despair that sinners experience
Their eternal doom
Painting a picture of the irreversible sentence awaiting the unredeemed
At the sad decree
Depicting the moment when the verdict is pronounced
they'll depart for aye
Emphasizing the finality and permanence of the punishment
Into endless woe
Outlining the nature of the misery and distress that awaits sinners
And gloomless woe and gloom
Describing the unrelenting and overwhelming sense of sorrow and darkness
I'm paying now
Referring to the price of sin that must be paid
the penalty
Expressing the concept that sin has consequences
The unredeemed (that the unredeemed)
Referring to those who have not sought salvation
Must ever pay
Conveying the idea that the price of sin is infinite
Though for help I cry
Expressing the desperation of the sinner who seeks redemption
It's now in vain
Conveying the sense of hopelessness and despair
For alas I'm doomed
Expressing the feeling of inevitability of the punishment
for aye (I'm doomed for aye).
Emphasizing the eternal nature of the punishment
If I could recall
Expressing the idea of regret and the desire to change the past
all the years now gone
Referring to the wasted years that could have been used for salvation
For my Savior's cause,
Referring to the opportunity to serve the Savior that was neglected
I would spend each one;
Expressing the desire to do anything to receive salvation
But they ne'er again
Conveying the sense of finality and regret
can to me return,
Referring to the irreversible nature of time
And the task is left, and my task
Expressing the feeling of failure and regret
Is left undone (it's left undone).
Referring to the unfinished work of serving the Savior
Oh I realize
Expressing the understanding of one's own mistakes
but alas too late
Conveying the sense of regret and the realization of the consequences
What a dark mistake
Referring to the wrong choices made in life
all my life has been,
Conveying the sense of wasted opportunities and regret
I refused his live
Referring to the rejection of the Savior's love and mercy
with a various heart,
Referring to the lack of sincerity and commitment in serving the Savior
And I must pay
Emphasizing the idea of personal responsibility
the price of sin
Referring to the punishment that must be endured due to one's own actions
Contributed by Jayden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.