Meaning of "Torch Song" by J.S. Ondara

The lyrics of "Torch Song" convey a sense of emotional struggle, missed opportunities, and the yearning for love. The repeated mention of the narrator's heart always being a little behind suggests a feeling of being out of sync with the world and perhaps missing out on important moments or connections. The act of closing their eyes and counting to ten when their heart is about to break represents a coping mechanism, a way to temporarily escape the pain. The advice given by someone, presumably a mother figure, to hold on and pray for love reflects a belief in the power of faith and hope. However, the narrator's bitterness towards a preacher suggests a disillusionment with organized religion and its influence on their own experiences of love. This bitterness may have contributed to them missing out on finding love sooner.

The mention of an unreachable ideal in the form of a woman who won't be a sinner, like Angelina or the woman from Ipanema, highlights the narrator's awareness of their own unattainable expectations. They hold onto an unrealistic image of the "perfect" woman, which may explain their feelings of having missed their chance to find love. The winter and bitterness mentioned could be metaphors for a cold, hardened heart resulting from past disappointments and unmet expectations.

The references to calling upon the angel Gabriel and Mr. Jack Daniel when their heart is about to break show the narrator's characteristically desperate attempts to find solace or escape in moments of emotional turmoil. The angel Gabriel represents a more spiritual and ethereal form of comfort, while Mr. Jack Daniel symbolizes seeking solace in alcohol, specifically whiskey.

Overall, "Torch Song" captures the universal theme of longing for love, the pain of missed opportunities, and the search for coping mechanisms in the face of emotional struggles. It explores the complexities of faith, disillusionment, and the consequences of holding onto unattainable ideals. The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and a deep longing for connection, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience.