The Truth
about Ruth
I like this little ditty. I like it a lot.
Now I grow and unfold
There are many sides to the soul and not just one -
I thought you was dead
Content with my own thoughts in my own head -
that’s because I thought you was dead
And it was so nice, so nice
It’s all been so nice
Happy now, open wide, everything, in its place and time, now is mine -
I hoped you was dead
Genial to the last, leave the past in the past
This means you - I thought you was dead
And it was so nice, so nice
It’s all been so nice
Freedom now, never gloom
Happiness all afternoon -
Can’t you get this in your thick head?
Sorrow gone, peace won
Five words spurred me on -
I thought you was dead
And it was so nice, so nice
It’s all been so nice
It seems to have a similar theme to "I'm OK By Myself." Someone who might not follow Morrissey could think he'd disappeared, "I thought you was dead," and have that old Pope of Mope image stuck in their head. He never really was that. There has always been humor.
On the other hand there is a reason for that image, and that is a part of him. Maybe sometimes he senses it or is reminded of it, this gloomy person that he is presented to be, and he could be telling that part of himself "I hoped you was dead."
"This means you" seems to apply to himself and anyone who won't "leave the past in the past."
For being a collection of phrases that don't really tell a story it seems logical and clear to me.
"Now this might disturb you but
I find I'm okay by myself
And I don't need you
Or your benevolence to make sense"
seems to be a similar idea.