Meaning of "A Sadness Runs Through Him" by The Hoosiers

"A Sadness Runs Through Him" delves into the theme of internal struggles and the difficulties of finding redemption. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is haunted by a pervasive sadness, which is described as beautiful. This suggests that the man finds a certain allure or appeal in his sadness, possibly indicating a complex relationship with his emotions. He turns to the narrator, asking them to pray to a God he doesn't believe in, highlighting his desperation for salvation or relief from his internal turmoil.

The song also explores the concept of societal expectations and the pressure for boys to become men quickly, often without fully understanding or processing their fears. The man in the song is portrayed as someone who mourns for the future, suggesting a sense of hopelessness and despair. He tries to drown his sorrows through drinking, but ultimately finds himself unable to escape the surface tension of his emotional struggles. The lyrics touch on themes of searching for redemption or escape in the wrong places, indicating a misguided quest for relief from his sadness.

The line "Don't look at me with those eyes, I tried to anaesthetise" reveals the narrator's futile attempts to numb or numb the man's pain. They feel helpless and unable to provide the salvation or support that he needs. The repetition of the phrase "a sadness runs through him" emphasizes the pervasive nature of his internal struggles and suggests that it defines his very being.

Overall, "A Sadness Runs Through Him" explores the complexities of dealing with personal sorrows, the search for redemption, and the inability to escape one's own emotional turmoil. It touches on themes of societal expectations, inner conflicts, and the yearning for relief or salvation.