The lyrics of "Rollin' Mill Man" describe a relationship that has gone sour, with the protagonist feeling disappointed and wanting the other person to leave. Memories of the past, including a woman who helped him become a man, are contrasted with the current state of the relationship, which is filled with longing for better times that will never return.

Meaning of "Rollin' Mill Man" by Buffy Sainte-Marie

"Rollin' Mill Man" by Buffy Sainte-Marie delves into themes of disappointment, lost love, and the passage of time. The protagonist reflects on a past relationship that once held promise and hope, symbolized by the woman who showed him he could be a man. However, as time has passed, that relationship has soured, and the protagonist is left feeling unfulfilled and longing for the past. The mention of the high school ring in the jewelry box and the memories of the woman's "last virgin spring" evoke nostalgia for a time when things were simpler and more pure. The repeated plea for the "Rollin' Mill Man" to save their life, despite acknowledging that peace is no longer possible with them, speaks to the conflicted feelings of holding onto a relationship that is no longer healthy or fulfilling. Overall, the lyrics capture the bittersweet nature of lost love and the yearning for a past that can never be reclaimed.