Wrong Side
mccluskey angela Lyrics
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Of the law
For so long
I don't know which side I am on
And every hand I shake
Is shaking me down
For a hard-luck song
Is there no one I can ride beside?
You just came to mind
You can be my trigger
I can be your hanger-on
I've been digging at a ditch my dear
But I hit concrete
Late last year
The spade and the shovel
And all kinds of trouble
Came and stripped me of my natural cheer
This could be a grave site
Or we could make a garden here
You could plant gardenias
I could be released from fear
Don't the night grow cold
Sleeping in a garden
Don't the birds move slow
Their wings get frozen here
Lying on the wrong side of the bed
Since you've gone
I don't know which side I am on
And every stitch on the bedspread
Is doing my head in
All night long
Lord
Let this be the last time
I should have to suffer so
Hurry down the morning
And I will be prepared to go
The song "Wrong Side" by Angela McCluskey is a poignant ballad about a person who has been living on the wrong side of the law for so long that they don't even know which side they are on anymore. The singer is caught in a cycle of poverty and desperation, with every person they meet seeming to shake them down for a "hard-luck song." They long for someone to ride beside them, and the listener is led to believe that perhaps the person they are addressing could be that someone.
The song takes a melancholic turn as the singer speaks of digging a ditch and hitting concrete, and of all kinds of trouble and natural cheer being stripped away. The imagery of a potential grave site being turned into a garden is haunting, but also offers a glimmer of hope that the singer could find release from their fear. As the song draws to a close, the singer speaks of lying on the wrong side of the bed and not knowing which side they are on, and expresses a desperate desire for the suffering to end.
Overall, "Wrong Side" is a powerful reflection on poverty, desperation, and the human longing for connection and release from suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been living on the wrong side
I have been breaking the law and living carelessly
Of the law
Breaking the laws set forth by society
For so long
For a period of time that seems to be unending
I don't know which side I am on
I am not sure if I want to continue living like this or if I should make a change
And every hand I shake
Every person I meet
Is shaking me down
Is trying to get something from me
For a hard-luck song
For a story about my misfortunes
Is there no one I can ride beside?
Is there no one who will support me?
You just came to mind
You are the first person I thought of who might help me
You can be my trigger
You can inspire me to make changes
I can be your hanger-on
I can follow your lead
I've been digging at a ditch my dear
I have been working towards something
But I hit concrete
But I encountered an obstacle that I cannot overcome
Late last year
Recently
The spade and the shovel
The tools I need to work
And all kinds of trouble
Difficulties and obstacles
Came and stripped me of my natural cheer
Made me unhappy and took away my positive attitude
This could be a grave site
This situation could end badly
Or we could make a garden here
Or we could turn this into something beautiful
You could plant gardenias
You could make something beautiful here
I could be released from fear
I could overcome my fears and find peace
Don't the night grow cold
Isn't it lonely at night?
Sleeping in a garden
Alone in a peaceful place
Don't the birds move slow
Isn't everything still and quiet?
Their wings get frozen here
They are unable to fly away
Lying on the wrong side of the bed
Starting the day off on the wrong foot
Since you've gone
Since you left me
I don't know which side I am on
I am lost and unsure of how to proceed
And every stitch on the bedspread
Every aspect of my life
Is doing my head in
Is causing me stress and confusion
All night long
Nonstop
Lord
An exclamation of frustration or hopelessness
Let this be the last time
I hope this is the end of my suffering
I should have to suffer so
I shouldn't have to endure this pain
Hurry down the morning
I cannot wait for the next day to start
And I will be prepared to go
Ready to face the challenges ahead
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NATHAN LARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind