Standing on my doorway
I wondered why his hand was painted red
It's just a scratch he said
Here we go again
We stumbled to the car
By the time we hit Prince Henry's he was white
I said you looked such a sight
He said I don't feel no pain
And I know just what to do
And I know it's nothing new
We've been through this before
But I don't follow
Why must it be you
On a white train?
I stuck until the end
Though you said I was no friend
But you were blind
You really lost your mind
On a white train
Some will swill and some will sip
Some just find a place where they don't slip
Others take a trip
On a white train
And I know just what to do
And I know it's nothing new
We've been through this before
But I don't follow
Why must it be you
On a white train?
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White Train is a metaphor for drugs (heroin)
ReplyDeleteIt is a song also about weakness of the human condition.
Protagonist- is weak because he was taken advantage of and was aware of it.
Theme of relationships (weakness in friendship)
Where: "Here we go again"
Why: Shows it is constantly reoccuring and he is aware of being used
Where: "we've been through this before"
Why: As above.
Audience can relate to it as many of us see our friends (and ourselves) making the same stupid mistakes over and over again.
- Frustrated
- Can't do anything about it.
Where: "And I must follow"
Why: "must" indicates he feels he has no choice, friend has all the power.
Where: "And still I follow"
Why: repetition of previous line, but changed for a dramatic effect. He is aware he is weak
The word "follow" is used to indicate that his mate( the drug addicted character) is the leader, he is in charge. Friend has power over him, and drugs have power over the friend.
CHARACTERS ARE WEAK BECAUSE DRUGS ARE IN CHARGE.
Drug Addicted Friend is weak because of his drug addiction.
- Drugs have power over him.
Where: "Though you said I was no friend"
Why: This shows the personality of a drug addicted person. Out of touch with reality.
Where: "He said "I don't feel no pain""
Why: He is escaping from reality, weak because not facing up to life's challenges
Where: "Why must it be you on the white train"
WHy: repetition
metaphor for being on drugs
pleading- desperation from friend.
Desperation is the ultimate sign of weakness.
THIS SONG IS A COMMENT ON DRUG ADDICTION AND CHOSING OTHERS OVER THE SELF- BOTH SIGNS OF WEAKNESS.
The line "others take a kip, on the white train" indicates that as a whole drug users are giving up on life.