This song is possibly about a young cop who has been wounded and is on his deathbed. He begs his mother to remove his badge, because he no longer needs it. He also asks his mother to bury his weapons, also because he cannot use them. Sad song. However many wonder what that last section (the phone call) really means. I believe it is somebody calling an authority figure, and laying it on the line, saying that he better start practicin' what he preaches, because it will always be him against the impulse for s*, against trying to gain money, and against death.

The meaning: Section 1.) The man is waking from a stupor induced by the fact that he murdered a man in cold blood. Section 2.) He walks into hi house, and explains to his mother about what he did; upon hearing the ruckus, the rest of his family goes to the room where he is finishing his grisly tale. He asks his mother to liver her life without him if he does not return. Section 3.) As he is arrested, he falls into a dream, in which his soul is being battled over by the forces of Good, and the forces of Evil. Section 3.) He is speaking to his beloved behind the glass at prison. He is angry when she gets up ti leave out of sadness; he is restrained. Last section.) He is setting up his suicide. He hangs himself in his cell while he speaks the famous last words, and steps into the noose.