The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The Bowery" by the artist "White Buffalo, The"

The song "The Bowery" by The White Buffalo tells the story of a man who has lost his purpose in life after the death of his wife.

The protagonist finds himself on the Bowery, a street in New York City known for its cheap hotels and bars. It is a place where lost souls flock, seeking oblivion. At the beginning of the song, the protagonist seems to be addressing the listener, wanting to share his story.

He reminisces about his love, the bright feelings he experienced ("angels were flying high as they've ever been"). But this happiness was short-lived: his wife died in 1973. This tragedy turned his life upside down, depriving it of meaning ("and now I got nothing to live for").

The recurring refrain "Buttercup... I lost my wife in '73. She got sick and she died in my arms, and now I got nothing to live for" emphasizes the depth of his grief and despair. The address "Buttercup" is probably a pet name for his wife, which evokes the most painful memories in the protagonist.

The protagonist embarks on a journey, trying to drown his pain in alcohol and disappear into the night shadows. He destroys himself, seeing no point in existence.

The phrase "Oh, it ain't fair... I met her beneath this chandelier, and then she went and changed my whole life" adds to the tragedy of the story. The protagonist may be in the very place where he once met his love, making his grief even more unbearable.

The entire song is saturated with a feeling of hopelessness and longing. The music and lyrics create an atmosphere of bleak despair, painting a portrait of a man broken by grief and lost in life.