"The Brass Ring" by John Mellencamp tells the story of a sad and troubled young woman whom the narrator encounters in the Quarter. The song portrays her as the saddest girl in the whole wide world and highlights her disregard for societal norms and order. The narrator asks the young woman about her age, to which she responds that she is much older than he thinks because she has seven babies. She reveals that she leaves her children at the church on 12th and Harding while she goes out to party. The people at the church ask her few questions, and if a child were to pass away, they pray them into heaven. The song then questions the absence of the father of these children, implying that he does not support or help her. The young woman, however, states that she doesn't need the narrator's company or pity and tells him to leave her alone. She doesn't believe there is anything wrong with her and wants him to go away. The chorus of "No love and no lover, a murder of crows did sing, we soon will discover, the coffin will wear our brass ring" suggests a motif of death and despair. The absence of love and a lover is compared to a murder of crows singing, symbolizing sorrow and tragedy. The brass ring, which represents a prize or success, is seen in the context of a coffin, reflecting the protagonist's bleak outlook on life. The young woman is resigned to her fate and expresses her discontent with the unfairness of the world. She has no plans and doesn't care about the future, holding onto her sorrows. The meaning of the song revolves around the portrayal of a troubled individual and the sociopolitical issues prevalent in society. It touches on themes of neglect, abandonment, despair, and the struggle to find love and happiness amidst difficult circumstances. Overall, "The Brass Ring" captures the pain and hopelessness experienced by the saddest girl in the world.
