The narrator warns his old lady's new boyfriend that she is going to tear him apart just like she did to him. He advises the boyfriend to take a look at his heart and consider all the pain and heartache he will experience.

Meaning of "Take A Look At My Heart" by John Prine

"Take A Look At My Heart" by John Prine is a heartfelt warning from a man who has been hurt by his old lady and now sees her moving on to a new relationship. He observes the new boyfriend's naivety and warns him of the inevitable pain and heartache that his girlfriend will bring into his life. The lyrics reflect on the cycle of hurt and betrayal that can occur in relationships, with the narrator feeling a sense of empathy towards the new boyfriend while also acknowledging his own past mistakes. The repetition of the phrase "Take a look at my heart" emphasizes the emotional and psychological toll that love and heartbreak can take on an individual.