Bag of Bones
The Washers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
LOOKIN' LIKE A BAG OF BONES
SHE'S GOT HER HAND IN HER PILLS AGAIN
AND HER STOMACH'S IN A KNOT
THIS ROPES TIED SOFTLY AROUND
A LITTLE BITTY BLUE OR WHITE PIECE OF JESUS
THE DEVIL IN THE BOTTLE HELPED HER SWALLOW DOWN
ANOTHER BOTTLE DOWN THE HATCH
YOU CAN COUNT EM BOY SHE AIN'T COMIN BACK
SHE'S GUNNA RUN US TO THE GROUND
VERSE 2
SHE'S SIPPIN IN THE DARK
MY LITTLE NIGHT AND GALE SINGS A SAD SONG
AND HER HEADS SPINNIN ROUND
SHE'S NODDIN OFF AGAIN
SAILING THROUGH HER DREAMS IN A PINE BOX
THE DEVIL IN THE BOTTLES GONNA PUT HER IN
X2
ANOTHER BOTTLE DOWN THE HATCH
YOU CAN COUNT EM BOY SHE AIN'T COMIN BACK
SHE'S GUNNA RUN US TO THE GROUND
VERSE 3
HER NAME IS ON A GRAVESTONE
THE FLOWERS WENT TO TO TOWN AND THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN
AND HER BODY LAY IN THE GROUND
SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT RIGHT
HER VICE IS PUTTING NAILS IN THE COFFIN
THE DEVIL IN THE BOTTLE FINALLY PUT HER IN
X2
ANOTHER BOTTLE DOWN THE HATCH
YOU CAN COUNT EM BOY SHE AIN'T COMIN BACK
SHE'S GUNNA RUN US TO THE GROUND
The Washers' song "Bag of Bones" paints a vivid portrait of a person struggling with addiction. The lyrics describe someone who is emaciated, likely due to substance abuse, and is constantly taking pills to alleviate their pain. The person's addiction is personified as the devil in the bottle, which allows them to keep pushing on despite their physical and emotional turmoil.
As the song progresses, the person's condition worsens. They continue to drink, eventually reaching the point of no return. The repeated refrain of "another bottle down the hatch, you can count 'em boy, she ain't comin back" underscores the inevitability of the person's decline.
The final verse is particularly tragic, as the person is described as having passed away and been buried. The addiction is ultimately framed as having "put nails in the coffin" - a vivid metaphor for the way addiction can destroy a person's life.
Overall, "Bag of Bones" is a haunting depiction of the ravages of addiction that highlights the insidious nature of addiction and the toll it takes on not only the person in its grip, but also those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
LOOKIN' LIKE A BAG OF BONES
She appears extremely thin and frail.
SHE'S GOT HER HAND IN HER PILLS AGAIN
She is taking medication, likely for addiction or mental health issues.
AND HER STOMACH'S IN A KNOT
She is experiencing anxiety or physical sickness.
THIS ROPES TIED SOFTLY AROUND
She is tying off her arm in preparation for intravenous drug use.
A LITTLE BITTY BLUE OR WHITE PIECE OF JESUS
She is using drugs and seeing it as a religious experience or source of comfort.
THE DEVIL IN THE BOTTLE HELPED HER SWALLOW DOWN
She is using alcohol to aid in drug use or cope with her issues.
ANOTHER BOTTLE DOWN THE HATCH
She is consuming alcohol.
YOU CAN COUNT EM BOY SHE AIN'T COMIN BACK
She has likely succumbed to substance abuse and will not recover.
SHE'S GUNNA RUN US TO THE GROUND
Her addiction will drive those around her to their breaking point.
SHE'S SIPPIN IN THE DARK
She is drinking alcohol in secret.
MY LITTLE NIGHT AND GALE SINGS A SAD SONG
She is likely singing or humming a sad tune while under the influence.
AND HER HEADS SPINNIN ROUND
She is experiencing dizziness or confusion as a result of intoxication.
SHE'S NODDIN OFF AGAIN
She is falling asleep or passing out.
SAILING THROUGH HER DREAMS IN A PINE BOX
She is experiencing drug-induced hallucinations or delusions.
THE DEVIL IN THE BOTTLES GONNA PUT HER IN
Her substance abuse will ultimately lead to her demise.
HER NAME IS ON A GRAVESTONE
She has passed away and her name is engraved on a headstone.
THE FLOWERS WENT TO TO TOWN AND THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN
It is likely her funeral and people have come to pay their respects.
AND HER BODY LAY IN THE GROUND
Her body has been buried in the earth.
SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT RIGHT
She was unable to overcome her addiction or struggles.
HER VICE IS PUTTING NAILS IN THE COFFIN
Her addiction is slowly killing her.
THE DEVIL IN THE BOTTLE FINALLY PUT HER IN
Her substance abuse ultimately led to her death.
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.