In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
Gotta Travel On
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Johnny can't come home, no, Johnny can't come home
Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
High sheriff and police riding after me
Riding after me, yes, coming after me
High sheriff and police riding after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
Want to see her bad, oh, want to see her bad
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
The lyrics to "Gotta Travel On" by Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys are about a feeling of restlessness and the desire for change. The singer has spent too long in their current town and feels like it might be time to move on. The changing seasons serve as a reminder of time passing and the need to take action. The second verse introduces the character of Johnny, who is unable to come home due to being on a chain gang. This line suggests that there are external factors that may be keeping the singer in their current situation. The chorus repeats throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that it is time for the singer to "travel on" and seek something new.
The third verse reveals that the singer is being pursued by law enforcement. This could suggest that they have done something wrong, but it could also be interpreted symbolically as a representation of the pressures and expectations of society. The final verse introduces a personal motivation for the singer's desire to leave – they want to see their loved one, who they describe as the "best gal this poor boy ever had." This gives the song an emotional aspect that adds depth to the singer's feelings of restlessness.
Overall, "Gotta Travel On" is a song about the universal experience of feeling stuck in one's current situation and the desire to move towards something better. The changing seasons, the pressure of society, and personal relationships all play a role in this narrative of seeking change and new experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
I've spent too much time idling and doing nothing of importance in this town
Summers almost gone, winters coming on
Summer is almost over and winter is about to begin
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
I have a strong urge to leave this town and go on a journey
Poppa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Johnny's father writes to him, but he can't return home
Cause he's been on this chain gang too long
Because Johnny has been imprisoned for too long and is serving time on a chain gang
High sheriff and police riding after me
The sheriff and police are chasing after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
I feel the need to escape and continue my journey
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
I am longing to see my girlfriend very much
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had
My girlfriend is the best I have ever had and I am not able to stay away from her any longer
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Lazar, Larry Ehrlich, Paul Clayton, Tom Six
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
REDDelta624
My favorite version of this song. Its been stuck in my head for days now.
Andrew Myers
hell yeah thats a good song . had this song on my head all day thank you
William Burke
ME TOO!
frodo1kd
Great old country style pickin' and singin'. Thanks for the post. Ken
Anna Vesely
Wonderful song.....
Buddy McCue
"Poppa writes to Johnny, but Johnny caint come home, 'cause he's been on the chain gang too long..."
Poor ol' Johnny, bless his heart. Kinda makes you feel bad for him.
Jeff Scott
Think I heard this when I was a wee lad.
James Wall
This.is.what.you.call.real.music.not.what.they.say.is.country.music.today.
Appalachian cooking with Brenda
Winter on the way '