The play had its world premiere at the Briar St. Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, on June 22, 1986, performed by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Hang on St. Christopher
Tom Waits Lyrics
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Buckle down the rumble seat and let the radiator boil
Got an overhead downshift and a two-dollar grill
Got an eighty-five cabin on an eighty-five hill
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Open it up tonight the devil can ride
Hang on St. Christopher with a barrelhouse dog
Kick me up Mount Baldy, throw me out in the fog
Tear a hole in the jackpot, drive a stake through his heart
Do a hundred on the grapevine, do a jump on the start
Hang on St. Christopher now don't let me go
Get me to Reno and bring it in low, yeah
Hang on St. Christopher with the hammer to the floor
Put a highball in the crank case, nail a crow to the door
Get a bottle for the jockey gimme a two-ninety-four
There's a seven-fifty Norton bustin' down January's door
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Open it up tonight the devil can ride
Hang on St. Christopher now don't let me go
Get me to Reno got to bring it in low
Put my baby on the flat car, got to burn down the caboose
Get 'em all jacked up on whiskey, then we'll turn the mad dog loose
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Open it up tonight the devil can ride, oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
The lyrics of Tom Waits's Hang on St. Christopher are a raucous ode to car culture, capturing the thrill of the open road, the power of a well-tuned engine, and the danger of living life on the edge. The title is a reference to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, who is often invoked for protection on one's journey. The song encourages the listener to buckle up and take a wild ride with the devil himself.
Throughout the song, Waits uses a variety of vivid imagery to paint a picture of the reckless joy of driving, from "smoke and oil" to "tearing a hole in the jackpot." There are references to specific locations, such as Mount Baldy and the Grapevine, which add to the sense of a real journey being taken. The repeated refrain to "hang on" to St. Christopher underscores the danger inherent in this journey and serves as a plea for divine protection.
Ultimately, Hang on St. Christopher is a celebration of the thrill of living life to the fullest, even if it means risking everything. The song's wild energy, driving rhythm, and powerful lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of Tom Waits and car culture alike.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang on St. Christopher through the smoke and the oil
Endure the hardship and chaos of life
Buckle down the rumble seat and let the radiator boil
Stay committed and endure the tough times
Got an overhead downshift and a two-dollar grill
Have the right tools and determination to overcome obstacles
Got an eighty-five cabin on an eighty-five hill
Have high aspirations and ambitions
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Hold on tight through life's ups and downs
Open it up tonight the devil can ride
Take risks and face your fears to achieve greatness
Hang on St. Christopher with a barrelhouse dog
Go through life with a sense of adventure and exploration
Kick me up Mount Baldy, throw me out in the fog
Challenge yourself to reach new heights and embrace the unknown
Tear a hole in the jackpot, drive a stake through his heart
Do whatever it takes to achieve your goals and dreams
Do a hundred on the grapevine, do a jump on the start
Take risks and enjoy the ride
Hang on St. Christopher now don't let me go
Stay grounded and steadfast in the face of adversity
Get me to Reno and bring it in low, yeah
Help me reach my destination and stay humble in the process
Hang on St. Christopher with the hammer to the floor
Drive with conviction and a sense of purpose
Put a highball in the crank case, nail a crow to the door
Do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it's unconventional
Get a bottle for the jockey gimme a two-ninety-four
Celebrate your victories with those who helped you succeed
There's a seven-fifty Norton bustin' down January's door
Great things can be achieved with the right tools and mindset
Put my baby on the flat car, got to burn down the caboose
Take risks and live life to the fullest
Get 'em all jacked up on whiskey, then we'll turn the mad dog loose
Live life on the edge with those who share your sense of adventure
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings
Open it up tonight the devil can ride, oh, yeah
Embrace the unpredictability of life and take on any challenge
Oh, yeah
Expression of enthusiasm and excitement
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind