The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird
Maiah Wynne Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴When I was a babe I fell down in the holler
When I was a girl I fell into your arms
We fell on hard times and we lost our bright color
You went to the dogs and I lived by my charms

I danced for my dinner, spread kisses like honey
You stole and you gambled and I said you should
We sang for our suppers and we drank up our money

Then one day you left, saying I was no good

Well, all right, I′m bad, but then, you're no prize either
All right, I′m bad, but then, that's nothing new
You say you won't love me, well I won′t love you neither
Just let me remind you who I am to you

′Cause I am the one who looks out when you're leaping
And I am the one who knows how you were brave
And I am the one who knows what you said sleeping
I′ll take that and more when I go to my grave

It's sooner than later that I′m six feet under
It's sooner than later that you′ll be alone
So who will you turn to tomorrow, I wonder
For when the bell rings, lover, you're on your own
For when the bell rings, lover, you're on your own

I am the one who you let see you weeping
I know the soul that you struggle to save

Too bad I′m the bet that you lost in the reaping
Now what will you do when I go to my grave?


Overall Meaning

The Ballad of Lucy Gray Baird by Maiah Wynne is a song that tells a story of two people who fell in love but their relationship fell apart because of their difficult circumstances. The first verse talks about the two falling on hard times and losing their bright color. The second verse reveals that Lucy had to dance for her dinner and use her charms to survive while her lover resorted to stealing and gambling. In the chorus, Lucy acknowledges that she may be considered "bad," but so is her lover, and they both have their faults. She also reminds him that she was the one that looked out for him and knew his struggles.


The third verse reveals that Lucy is aware of her impending death and that her lover will ultimately be alone. She questions who he will turn to when she is gone, as she was the one he relied on. In the final chorus, Lucy reminds him that she was the one who saw him weeping and knew his struggles, but unfortunately, she was the "bet" that he lost in the reaping. The song ends with a poignant reminder that when the bell rings, they will both be alone.


Overall, the song is a heartfelt tale of love and loss, of two people who were dealt a difficult hand in life and tried to make the most of it, but ultimately could not overcome their circumstances. It is a reminder of the importance of appreciating those in our lives while they are still with us and cherishing the memories we share.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was a babe I fell down in the holler
As a child, I experienced hardship and pain.


When I was a girl I fell into your arms
As I grew older, I sought comfort in your embrace.


We fell on hard times and we lost our bright color
We both struggled financially and emotionally, losing our vitality and happiness.


You went to the dogs and I lived by my charms
You became desperate and turned to destructive habits, while I relied on my cunning and charisma to survive.


I danced for my dinner, spread kisses like honey
I resorted to performing and using my sexuality to secure food and shelter.


You stole and you gambled and I said you should
You engaged in theft and gambling, and I enabled your behavior instead of discouraging it.


We sang for our suppers and we drank up our money
We used our talents to earn food and drink, but spent our earnings recklessly.


Then one day you left, saying I was no good
You abandoned me, citing my shortcomings as the reason.


Well, all right, I′m bad, but then, you're no prize either
I acknowledge my flaws, but also recognize yours.


You say you won't love me, well I won′t love you neither
If you refuse to love me, then I will not return that affection either.


Just let me remind you who I am to you
I want to emphasize the role I played in your life.


′Cause I am the one who looks out when you're leaping
I was the one who ensured your safety when you took risks.


And I am the one who knows how you were brave
I am aware of the times you exhibited courage.


And I am the one who knows what you said sleeping
I am privy to your vulnerable and unguarded moments.


It's sooner than later that I′m six feet under
I will soon be dead and buried.


It's sooner than later that you′ll be alone
You will also face seclusion at some point in the future.


So who will you turn to tomorrow, I wonder
I wonder who you will seek help and comfort from in the future.


For when the bell rings, lover, you're on your own
When it comes down to it, you will be responsible for yourself.


I am the one who you let see you weeping
I was the one who witnessed your moments of weakness and vulnerability.


I know the soul that you struggle to save
I am familiar with your inner demons and the efforts you make to overcome them.


Too bad I′m the bet that you lost in the reaping
It is unfortunate that I am the one you lost in the end.


Now what will you do when I go to my grave?
How will you cope when I am no longer around?


Writer(s): Suzanne Collins

Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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