Hey Joe
(Bob Hocko and) The Swamp Rats Lyrics

Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Asking where Joe is headed with a gun in his hand

Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Reiterating the previous line and adding an emphasis of urgency and alarm

I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe is going to shoot his wife

You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe caught his wife cheating

Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Repeating that Joe has the intention to shoot his wife

You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Reiterating that Joe's wife was unfaithful

Huh! and that ain't cool
Expressing Joe's disapproval and anger towards his wife's actions

Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Someone is saying that they heard Joe killed his mother

You shot her down now
Reinforcing the accusation that Joe killed his mother

Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Someone else is saying that they heard Joe killed his wife

You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Confirming that Joe killed his wife

Yes, I did, I shot her
Joe admits to killing his wife

You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Joe reiterates that he caught his wife cheating

Huh, yes I did I shot her
Emphasizing that Joe did, in fact, shoot his wife

You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
Reiterating that Joe caught his wife being unfaithful again

And I gave her the gun
Joe provided the weapon used to kill his wife

And I shot her
Joe admits to killing his wife

Hey Joe, where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Asking where Joe plans to run away to

Hey Joe, I said where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Reiterating the question with emphasis and urgency

I'm goin' way down south
Joe plans to go down south

Way down to Mexico way
Joe specifically plans to go to Mexico

I'm goin' way down south
Reiterating that Joe is heading down south

Way down where I can be free
Joe wants to go where he can feel free

Ain't no one gonna find me
Joe doesn't want to be found

Ain't no hang-man gonna
No executioner will be able to punish Joe

He ain't gonna put a rope around me
Joe repeats that he won't face the death penalty

You better believe it right now
Joe urges others to believe him

I gotta go now
Joe has to leave now

Hey, Joe
Addressing Joe again

You better run on down
Telling Joe to hurry and leave

Goodbye everybody
Saying farewell to everyone

Hey hey Joe
Addressing Joe one last time