"I ain't having this baby . . . and I ain't got to explain it to nobody."
Tonya is so distraught by King's erratic and illegal behavior that she eventually is persuaded that she should have an abortion, even though she adamantly opposed the idea when he suggested it. She wants this baby, but she has to make a tough call. She recognizes that King will not be a good father and decides to spare the child a difficult life.
"You can't let nobody take nothing from you."
This is Elmore's philosophy. He takes what he wants and refuses to be taken advantage of. Possessing no code of honor, he is constantly suspicious that everyone else is trying to take advantage of him.
"Pernell stepped on me and I pulled his life out by the root. What does that make me? It don't make me a big man."
This is King's recollection of when he murdered Pernell. He now believes he was wrong for losing his temper. He believed at the time that he was enacting fair justice, but in retrospect he feels guilt.
"Red sails in the sunset
Way out on the sea
Oh carry my loved one
Bring him home safely to me."
This is Ruby's mournful song. After accidentally shooting her son, she drops to her knees and sings this sailor's wives' tune. She laments the loss of yet another man in her family too soon.
