Rain Dogs
Tom Waits Lyrics


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Inside a broken clock
Splashing the wine
With all the Rain Dogs
Taxi, we'd rather walk
Huddle a doorway with the Rain Dogs
For I am a Rain Dog, too

Oh, how we danced and we swallowed the night
For it was all ripe for dreaming
Oh, how we danced away all of the lights
We've always been out of our minds

The Rum pours strong and thin
Beat out the dustman
With the Rain Dogs
Aboard a shipwreck train
Give my umbrella to the Rain Dogs
For I am a Rain Dog, too

Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Her long hair black as a raven
Oh, how we danced and you whispered to me
You'll never be going back home

Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Her long hair black as a raven




Oh, how we danced and you whispered to me
You'll never be going back home, aah

Overall Meaning

In Rain Dogs, Tom Waits paints a vivid picture of the seedy underworld of urban life. The lyrics take us through a series of surreal imagery that reflects the passage of time and the transitory nature of human existence. The song starts with the image of a broken clock, symbolizing the futility of measuring time in a world where everything is decaying and falling apart. The Rain Dogs are stray dogs who wander the streets, their lives as transitory and fragile as the clocks. The singer of the story is also a Rain Dog, just like those wandering the street.


The second verse is full of rich, metaphorical language that evokes the wild abandon of living on the edge. The singer dances with abandon, swallowed by the relentless darkness of the city, and dreams of a life beyond the dreariness of his surroundings. The refrain "we've always been out of our minds" is a nod to the deep-seated sense of alienation felt by individuals living on the fringes of society.


The final verse brings together all of the themes of the song, as the singer gives his umbrella to the Rain Dogs as a gesture of camaraderie. The image of a shipwrecked train is both haunting and surreal, symbolizing the inevitable journey towards destruction that is present in all of our lives. The Rose of Tralee is a classic Irish song, with a haunting melody and lyrics full of imagery. Her presence in the song serves as a symbol for the aspirations and dreams that we hold dear, even as we are confronting the harsh realities of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Inside a broken clock
In the inner workings of a faulty timepiece


Splashing the wine
Drinking the wine carelessly


With all the Rain Dogs
In the company of misfits and outsiders


Taxi, we'd rather walk
Choosing to avoid the convenience of a taxi


Huddle a doorway with the Rain Dogs
Taking shelter with the marginalized, the outcasts


For I am a Rain Dog, too
Identifying with the Rain Dogs, the misfits and outcasts


Oh, how we danced and we swallowed the night
Dancing and losing oneself in the nocturnal world


For it was all ripe for dreaming
The night was full of possibilities and potential


Oh, how we danced away all of the lights
Escaping from reality and its obligations


We've always been out of our minds
Existing on the fringes of society, living outside of the norm


The Rum pours strong and thin
Drinking cheap, strong alcohol


Beat out the dustman
Embodying rebellion and nonconformity


With the Rain Dogs
In the company of the misfits and outcasts


Aboard a shipwreck train
Traveling without direction or purpose


Give my umbrella to the Rain Dogs
Sharing resources with those in need


For I am a Rain Dog, too
Identifying with the marginalized and outcast


Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Dancing with an unattainable love interest


Her long hair black as a raven
Describing the object of affection


You'll never be going back home
Accepting a life on the fringes of society


Aah
An exclamation expressing emotion or feeling




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Girl Named Nino

Inside a broken clock
Splashing the wine
With all the Rain Dogs
Taxi, we'd rather walk
Huddle a doorway with the Rain Dogs
For I am a Rain Dog, too
Oh, how we danced and we swallowed the night
For it was all ripe for dreaming
Oh, how we danced away all of the lights
We've always been out of our minds
The Rum pours strong and thin
Beat out the dustman
With the Rain Dogs
Aboard a shipwreck train
Give my umbrella to the Rain Dogs
For I am a Rain Dog, too
Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Her long hair black as a raven
Oh, how we danced and you whispered to me
You'll never be going back home
Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Her long hair black as a raven
Oh, how we danced and you whispered to me
You'll never be going back home, aah



All comments from YouTube:

Bruce Shark

Tom Waits is a mad poet, a hustler, a hobo, a train conductor for the heartbroken.

John Hesler

Troubadour for the slightly insane? I am new to this but I think I will like it whole bunches. Late starter.

Abhinav Pathak

@John Hesler Tom Waits is so far ahead that you can never be truly late if I may say so.

Lorrie Mattson

Hes a damn rare gem. He doesn't need to try, he's just himself. ❤💜

BUNYIP Tv.

Well put,i agree.

Kfkfkf Kfkfkf

Lovet him , you sefl ????not poetisk, are analfabet????

8 More Replies...

Girl Named Nino

Inside a broken clock
Splashing the wine
With all the Rain Dogs
Taxi, we'd rather walk
Huddle a doorway with the Rain Dogs
For I am a Rain Dog, too
Oh, how we danced and we swallowed the night
For it was all ripe for dreaming
Oh, how we danced away all of the lights
We've always been out of our minds
The Rum pours strong and thin
Beat out the dustman
With the Rain Dogs
Aboard a shipwreck train
Give my umbrella to the Rain Dogs
For I am a Rain Dog, too
Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Her long hair black as a raven
Oh, how we danced and you whispered to me
You'll never be going back home
Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
Her long hair black as a raven
Oh, how we danced and you whispered to me
You'll never be going back home, aah

Box

i got fckin ears Nino

Beater Bike Channel make Orwelll fiction again.

The first verse was scrawled in the wall of my local pub toilets

Beater Bike Channel make Orwelll fiction again.

​@BasilBagel no reply after all this time? She's not interested bro.

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