Meaning of "Discarded" by Uncle Tupelo

The lyrics of "Discarded" by Uncle Tupelo convey a feeling of disillusionment and resignation towards life's unpredictability. The speaker seems to have faced multiple disappointments and setbacks, causing them to lose faith in the idea of being able to control outcomes or make promises with certainty. The repeated refrain "Just can't stand to see things turn out wrong, No way to make things right, Never promise anything anymore" highlights a sense of helplessness and a reluctance to have expectations due to past letdowns. Despite the acknowledgment of the challenges faced and the perpetual feeling of being lost in the shuffle of life's chaos, there is a faint sense of hope in the realization that the road ahead leads away from the current struggles. The mention of adversity being stable and life presenting new opportunities hints at the cyclical nature of existence, where the discarded and recycled aspects of life eventually give birth to something new. The final lines, "Too late to go back, Sorry needs to be said, But there's really nothing now to do," further emphasize the acceptance of the present circumstances and the need to move forward despite the regrets and limitations faced.