woe-be-gotten

[tachepiranha]

Hi!

I was reading the lyrics of a Tom Waits song and found this expression, I know woe is like misfortune, but I would like to fully understand the concept.

"and it's more than goodbye I have to say to you
it's more than woe-be-gotten grey skies now"

Thanks in advanced!!

 

[Sprachliebhaber]

It should be "woebegone" = desconsolado, afligido, lúgubre (person) or triste, lúgubre, sombrío (sky).

 

[Londres]

Hi!

I was reading the lyrics of a Tom Waits song and found this expression, I know woe is like misfortune, but I would like to fully understand the concept.

"and it's more than goodbye I have to say to you
it's more than woe-be-gotten grey skies now"

Thanks in advanced!!

I agree with Sprachliebhaber. Woebegotten is a variation of woebegone which means sad, grim, especially in appearance. Someone who has had a hard life and it shows.

Saludos desde Londres

 

[happytoguess]

I wouldn't dismiss taking begotten as the stem, ie. born of woe, relating to death in childbirth. Just a thought.