Meaning of "You Must Have Met Little Caroline?" by JD McPherson

The lyrics of "You Must Have Met Little Caroline?" by JD McPherson seem to delve into the idea of deep emotional pain and hurt that is so intense it feels like a physical ache. The comparison to a child crawling out into the hall or an old toy covered in dust conveys a sense of abandonment and neglect, while the mention of specific actions like baying like a hound or screaming like a lamb adds a layer of visceral emotion to the pain being described. The repetition of the line "if you hurt like that, you must have met little Caroline" suggests that Caroline represents a moment or person in the past that caused such intense pain that it still lingers in the present. Overall, the lyrics paint a haunting picture of lingering hurt and the search for understanding and healing.