James McMurtry：Meaning of Saint Mary Of The Woods Songmeaning

The song "Saint Mary of the Woods" by James McMurtry tells the story of a struggling musician who is feeling beaten down by the industry. The lyrics describe how the musician's posters have been taken down and how they feel like they're hearing nothing but lies. The song suggests that the musician may turn to drinking as a coping mechanism, as "brandy on your breath" is mentioned. However, there is also a sense of hope in the song, as the musician is urged to "fly back to the nest" and return to Saint Mary of the Woods in the early fall. The final verses of the song describe the children singing a song of the musician's dreams coming true. This suggests that there is still hope for the musician and that success may still be possible. Overall, "Saint Mary of the Woods" is a song about the ups and downs of pursuing a career in the music industry and the hope that can be found in times of struggle.