"I would say I'd rather dig a ditch, you know, do hard, manual labor than write lyrics"

This quote by Natalie Merchant talks to the problem of writing lyrics. Composing lyrics is a creative process that needs a great deal of thought and effort. It can be a tough and time-consuming job, and it can be difficult to come up with the best words to reveal what you wish to say. Merchant is suggesting that she would rather do hard, manual work than write lyrics, as it is a more uncomplicated task. This quote speaks to the problem of writing lyrics, and how it can be a complicated task. It likewise speaks with the gratitude of effort and manual work, and how it can be a more uncomplicated and satisfying job than writing lyrics. Merchant's quote is a suggestion that hard work and manual labor can be simply as rewarding as creative ventures.