Meaning of "Back In The Good Old World" by Tom Waits

The lyrics of "Back In The Good Old World" by Tom Waits delve into themes of nostalgia, loss, and the inevitable passage of time. The speaker reminisces about a time when the world seemed magical and full of promise, represented by the moon as a pearl and the sun as yellow gold. However, as the speaker grows older, the harsh realities of adulthood set in, symbolized by the wind blowing cold and the hills appearing upside down. Despite this, there is a longing to return to the simplicity and beauty of the past, to "float my chances on the tide back in the good old world." The imagery of scarecrows dressed in rags and a pocket full of flowers on the speaker's grave evoke a sense of mortality and the passage of seasons. The poignant reference to summer being gone serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of change. Overall, the lyrics capture a sense of yearning for a lost innocence and a desire to reconnect with a time when the world seemed kinder and more hopeful.