keep the ends out

[Olivier]

Alors que je voulais expliquer en gros le sens d'un grand classique de Johnny Cash, j'ai découvert que j'en suis incapable: y aurait-il un anglophone pour expliquer cette expression "keep the ends out"?
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine = je surveille de près ce cœur (qui est) le mien
I keep my eyes wide open all the time = je garde les yeux grands ouverts tout le temps
I keep the ends out for the ties that bind = je garde les issues ouvertes (?) / les bouts sortis (?) pour (nouer?) les attaches qui (nous) lient
Because you're mine, I walk the line = parce que tu es à moi, je ne fais pas d'écart (je "file doux")
-- Olivier

[Latinus]

Tu ne sembles être pas le seul à te poser la question.

J'ai trouvé ceci sur un blog :

The "tie that binds" is poet speak for marriage.
"Keeping the ends out" is a pun on this phrase.
Imagine you have old fashioned shoes tied with laces. If you let the ends of those laces too long you might trip, so they are tied up. It is a funny way of saying it because it might make more sense to say you would keep the ends in.

Alternatively, "Keeping the ends out" could mean keeping the knot in full view so that everyone can see it and know that he is committed to his love.

et

i always figured that "keeping the ends out for the tie that binds" meant he is always making sure to let her know he is willing to be tied to her. Open in other words for her to tie onto him. Keeping his heart open waiting for her to accept his commitment even after long periods of reluctance on her part.

It's a little confusing though because it sounds too general since he doesn't refer to her right after he says it.

I think it would be even more confusing for a French person since this music deals with nuanced issues of lower class rural American life. Being "true" (not only sexually loyal but emotionally strong and open)is an issue for women who have learned to survive by lowering expectations. American women often expect cheating and lying.
Lower class women have historically learned to develop independence in preparation for abandonment. Because of this alternative relationship formations emerge. I think he is saying look i'm here for you (like an outstretched hand)

edit : On en parle aussi ici, en bas de 1ere page et aussi en seconde.

Lat

[Olivier]

Ah d'accord, merci. Je crois plus à la 2e citation: pas le lacet (qu'il faudrait garder à l'intérieur en fait) ni rendre visible le nœud déjà fait, plutôt proposer de nouer (ou nouer davantage) les bouts qu'on présente. C'est aussi ce que dit le lien de ton PS, en 1e page: "offering the two ends of a thread/rope out towards someone" (l'idée de la 2e page, "garder les bouts à l'extérieur" pour être toujours prêt à les dénouer = ne pas s'engager, irait plutôt contre le sens de l'ensemble du texte "je t'aime et je marcherai droit").
Donc finalement, le sens serait en gros:
I keep the ends out for the ties that bind = je garde à ta disposition les liens pour nous lier ensemble.
-- Olivier
PS. pour ceux qui ne connaîtraient pas: I walk the line
(tiens je vois au même endroit une parodie Warcraft excellente, "Aggro is mine, I hold the line" )