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Highway 40 Blues
Ricky Skaggs Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well these Highway 40 blues
I've walked holes in both my shoes
Counted the days since I've been gone
And I'd love to see the lights of home

Wasted time and money too
Squandered youth in search of truth
But in the end I had to lose
Lord above I've paid my dues
Got the Highway 40 blues




The highway called when I was young
Told me lies of things to come
Fame and fortune lies ahead!
That's what the billboard lights had said

Shattered dreams my mind is numb
My money's gone stick out my thumb
My eyes are filled with bitter tears
Lord I ain't been home in years
Got the Highway 40 blues

You know I've rambled all around
Like a rolling stone from town to town
Met pretty girls I have to say
But none of them could make me stay

Well I've played the music halls and bars
Had fancy clothes and big fine cars
Things a country boy can't use
Dixieland, I sure miss you
Got the Highway 40 blues

Overall Meaning

The song Highway 40 Blues by Ricky Skaggs speaks to the experience of many young musicians who leave home in search of fame and fortune. The lyrics speak of the struggles and disappointments that come with chasing a dream, of the wasted time and money, broken promises, and shattered dreams that often accompany the road to success. Skaggs sings of the toll that this chase has taken on his life, of the holes that he's worn in his shoes from walking so much, and of the bitter tears that he's cried from being away from home for so long.


The song serves as a warning of sorts, a cautionary tale of the perils of chasing fame and fortune, and a reminder that there's more to life than just success. It's a lament for the things that have been lost along the way, a longing for home and for simpler times. The lyrics are accompanied by a fast-paced, energetic melody that captures the restless and relentless spirit of the highway.


Line by Line Meaning

Well these Highway 40 blues
I'm feeling homesick and regretful about the choices I've made that led me away from home.


I've walked holes in both my shoes
I've been traveling for so long that my shoes are worn out and in need of repair.


Counted the days since I've been gone
I've been away from home so long that I've lost track of time and I miss it dearly.


And I'd love to see the lights of home
I miss my hometown and all the things that make it special to me.


Wasted time and money too
I've made poor decisions in my life and now I'm feeling the consequences of those choices.


Squandered youth in search of truth
I've spent my early years trying to find my place in the world and figure out what really matters to me.


But in the end I had to lose
Despite my efforts, I've come up short and now I'm suffering the consequences of my actions.


Lord above I've paid my dues
I've accepted responsibility for my poor decisions and I'm ready to face the consequences of my actions.


Got the Highway 40 blues
I'm feeling overwhelmed and down about my situation, and the highway is a reminder of all that I've lost and missed out on.


The highway called when I was young
I've been on the move since I was young, driven by a restless spirit and a desire to see the world beyond my hometown.


Told me lies of things to come
I was seduced by the promise of fame and fortune that the world beyond my hometown seemed to offer, and I thought that my dreams would come true if I just kept moving.


Fame and fortune lies ahead!
The road seemed to promise me all the material success that I could ever want, and I thought that it was my ticket to the good life.


That's what the billboard lights had said
The jazzy billboards on the roadside seemed to confirm that my dreams were achievable and that I was on the right path to achieving them.


Shattered dreams my mind is numb
I've seen my hopes and aspirations crumble in the face of reality, and I'm feeling disheartened and unable to think clearly.


My money's gone stick out my thumb
I've hit rock bottom and have no other option but to rely on the kindness and generosity of strangers in order to survive.


My eyes are filled with bitter tears
I'm feeling overwhelmed with sadness and heartache, realizing that I've wasted so much time and resources chasing empty promises of a better life.


Lord I ain't been home in years
I'm feeling disconnected from my hometown and all the things that make it special to me, and I'm missing the sense of belonging and familiarity that comes with it.


You know I've rambled all around
I've been on the move for so long that I've lost track of how many places I've been, and I'm feeling restless and incomplete.


Like a rolling stone from town to town
I've been moving from place to place, never really settling down, and I'm feeling lost and adrift.


Met pretty girls I have to say
I've had the pleasure of meeting many attractive women along the way, but none of them have been able to fill the void in my life or make me feel truly complete.


But none of them could make me stay
Despite my attraction to some of these women, I was never able to form a lasting connection with any of them, and I continued to move on to new places.


Well I've played the music halls and bars
I've pursued my passion for music and tried to make a name for myself by performing in a variety of venues across the country.


Had fancy clothes and big fine cars
I've tried to live the glamorous lifestyle that comes with being a successful musician, but I've found that those trappings don't bring true happiness or satisfaction.


Things a country boy can't use
Despite my success, I've realized that I'm still at heart a simple country boy, and all the fancy cars and clothes in the world can't change that.


Dixieland, I sure miss you
I'm feeling nostalgic for the South and all the things that made my childhood and early years special, and I'm longing to return to my roots.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LARRY E. CORDLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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