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.