Tattoo'd Lady

Rory Gallagher's 'Tattoo'd Lady' is a vivid portrayal of life on the fringes, capturing the essence of a traveling carnival and its eclectic inhabitants. The song opens with the titular 'Tattoo'd lady' and a 'bearded baby,' who symbolize the unconventional family that the narrator finds solace in. This family provides a sense of belonging and stability in a world that is otherwise transient and unpredictable. The carnival, with its shooting galleries and fairground bands, serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable and often chaotic journey of life.

The lyrics delve into the narrator's past, revealing a youth spent under a 'canvas roof' as he roamed from town to town. This nomadic lifestyle is marked by a lack of formal education, as the narrator admits to never liking the 'class bell sound.' Instead, the carnival becomes his school, teaching him lessons in survival, resilience, and the beauty of impermanence. The fairground band, playing as well as they can, symbolizes the fleeting moments of joy and normalcy in an otherwise unstable life. The narrator's inability to be found and the promise of being 'gone by dawn' underscore the transient nature of his existence.

The song also introduces other colorful characters, such as the fire eater and 'wicked Sadie,' who add depth to the carnival's tapestry. The fire eater, described as a 'death cheater' and 'some kind of central heater,' represents the daring and often dangerous acts that captivate audiences. Meanwhile, Sadie, who defies the law and wins over authority figures, embodies the rebellious spirit and resilience of those who live on the margins of society. Through these characters, Gallagher paints a rich, multi-dimensional picture of a world that is both enchanting and harsh, filled with moments of triumph and struggle.