Meaning of "Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand

In "Stoney End," Barbra Streisand explores themes of longing, disillusionment, and the desire for a fresh start. The opening lines depict a difficult beginning, with the narrator's mother working in the mines. The reference to being raised on the "good book Jesus till I read between the lines" suggests a loss of faith or a realization that there is more to life than what is taught in religion. The repeated phrase "I don't believe I want to see the morning" reflects a sense of despair and a desire to escape their current circumstances. The "stoney end" represents a metaphorical place of hardship or suffering that the narrator never wanted to go to. They long to be cradled and comforted by their mother, seeking solace and a fresh start. As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a more intense tone, comparing the narrator's inner turmoil to a raging storm. The line "the sky has lost control" suggests a feeling of chaos and the inability to find stability. Ultimately, the song expresses a yearning for a second chance, a release from the struggles and pain of life, and the hope for a new beginning.