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Hillbilly Shoes
Montgomery Gentry Lyrics


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I was there when the men came, and told us all the news
Father forgive them for they know not what they do
Till they walk a while, a country mile
In my hillbilly shoes

You want to judge me by the whiskey on my breath
You think you know me but you ain't seen nothing yet
Till you walk a while, a country mile
In my hillbilly shoes
In my hillbilly shoes

You work all day in the muck and the mire
Dance a little jig and a stomp by the fire
Ain't too much these boots can't do
Might even kick a little sense into you

Well I'm going up cripple creek going in a run
Going up cripple creek to have a little fun
Law man said they found some tracks
People saw them leavin but they never come back

Oh, you don't know me, you don't know, you don't know you don't know
Till you walk a while, a country mile
In my hillbilly shoes
In my hillbilly shoes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Montgomery Gentry's song "Hillbilly Shoes" talk about the life of a man who lives in the countryside and how he is judged by people who don't understand his way of life. He sings about the moment when he received some news, possibly the news of the death of a loved one, and how he wished for forgiveness for those who brought him the news. He mentions that unless people walk in his shoes and live a country mile, they can't understand the hardships he faces every day.


The song's speaker also talks about being judged for his habits, like drinking, but he asserts that people don't really know him until they understand his roots and lifestyle. He talks about the hard work he does in the fields and how his shoes, which are called "hillbilly shoes," are versatile enough to work and dance in. The song portrays the singer as someone who is proud of his heritage and is not afraid to stand up for himself.


The overall theme of the song is about judging people because of their race, background or lifestyle choices. The song is a reminder that people should not be judged without understanding their struggles and circumstances. It is a powerful message that resonates with many people in rural areas who often feel misunderstood and marginalized.


Line by Line Meaning

I was there when the men came, and told us all the news
I witnessed the day when outsiders brought news to us hillbillies


Father forgive them for they know not what they do
I pray for those who judge and discriminate against us hillbillies without truly knowing us


Till they walk a while, a country mile In my hillbilly shoes
They won't really understand me or my way of life until they experience it for themselves


You want to judge me by the whiskey on my breath
People are quick to judge me based on superficial things like the smell of alcohol on my breath


You think you know me but you ain't seen nothing yet
Just because you think you know who I am, you have no idea what it's really like to be me


You work all day in the muck and the mire
We hillbillies work hard in the dirt and grime all day


Dance a little jig and a stomp by the fire
But we also know how to relax and have fun with a little dance around the fire


Ain't too much these boots can't do
Our boots are durable and can handle just about anything


Might even kick a little sense into you
Our boots can also teach others a thing or two about life


Well I'm going up cripple creek going in a run Going up cripple creek to have a little fun
Sometimes we just need to let loose and have some fun in our own way


Law man said they found some tracks People saw them leavin but they never come back
Even when outsiders try to interfere, they can't keep us hillbillies down


Oh, you don't know me, you don't know, you don't know you don't know Till you walk a while, a country mile In my hillbilly shoes In my hillbilly shoes
You can never truly understand me or my way of life until you experience it for yourself




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JESSI COLTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@mynissanpathfinderonandoff5955

they were a criminally underrated group

@faydraunderwood9010

I had the pleasure of sitting between these two gentleman on a log in Danville while we ate roasted pig and drank moonshine. I’m still in awe of them both! R. I. P. T -Roy ♥️♥️♥️♥️

@go.gators

Wow!!! I have some great stories...but I think that wins hands down for being the greatest memory and experience ever.

@johnpauljenkins7752

🌹 💕 🙏

@dldave1978

Such a badass song. RIP Troy. These guys had some hits. Back when country was cool!

@jayski1714

Still is as long as you keep the music alive!!

@themuzakman2416

I just cannot get enough of this song. I can listen to it over and over and over and over again.

@jscountrygirl85_326

Hard to believe this was their very first single from all the back to early 1999. It doesn't seem that long ago, and it still sounds just as fresh and cool as it did then. RIP Troy.

@ryanblue5627

Great song! Love it. Rest in peace Troy Gentry!

@brandonhajdin1024

I’m not big on country, but Montgomery Gentry has been one of my favorite country bands for a long time.

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