Broken Bones

Kaleo's 'Broken Bones' is a powerful song that delves into themes of oppression, desperation, and the longing for freedom. The lyrics tell a story of a person who has faced significant hardships, particularly in the context of the American South, as indicated by the references to Texas and Mississippi. The protagonist feels oppressed by systemic injustice, symbolized by the 'white man' who takes away the hard-earned money, representing racial and economic inequality.

The repeated invocation of the devil as a liberator is a provocative and paradoxical choice. Traditionally, the devil is associated with evil and temptation, but in this song, the devil is seen as a force that can break the chains of the protagonist's bondage. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the extreme measures one might consider when faced with insurmountable oppression, or it could reflect the idea that freedom can come from unexpected places, even those that are typically vilified.

The song's narrative takes a dark turn when the protagonist takes violent action against his oppressor, which leads to a sense of finality and the cessation of the oppressor's voice. The repeated lines about having 'no place to call a home' and being left with 'only chains and broken bones' evoke a sense of homelessness and the physical and emotional scars of a life of struggle. The call to the Lord at the end of the song juxtaposes the earlier calls to the devil, suggesting a complex relationship with faith and salvation in the face of suffering.