Dirty Work

The speaker describes a secret affair in which someone calls on him when her partner is away. He recognizes that he is being used, yet keeps returning. The repeated refrain shows his conflict: he calls himself a fool and says he wants to stop, but his actions suggest he has not managed to leave.

“Dirty work” means an unpleasant or shameful task, but here it also hints at the affair and the speaker’s role in it. The candle, locked door, and maid sent home early create a picture of deliberate secrecy. The comparison to a “medieval game” makes the situation seem like a risky contest, with trouble approaching while the speaker remains involved.

The lyrics give us the speaker’s frustrated view, not a full account of the other person’s motives. His description may reflect genuine affection, desire, or simply the pull of being wanted; the song does not settle that question. Likewise, his claim that he wants no more “dirty work” sounds like a firm decision, but the repeated refrain leaves open whether he will actually break away.