Why do you feel it's tripe, Steve?
Lyrically, it's a compelling allegory (owing its origins to Nathaniel Hawthorne, of course) for someone immersed in a toxic lifestyle. Vocally, I think it's one of Stevie's best on the album.
Also... what makes it worse than "The Derelict" or, say, Jeremy's 27th Elmore James impression?
