Grammer died on August 10, 2011, aged 85, at Benton Hospital, where had been receiving treatment for a long-term illness, which included suffering a heart attack seven months earlier.
Gotta Travel On
Billy Grammer Lyrics
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Summer's almost gone, yes winter's coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I 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
High sheriff and police riding after me
Riding after me, yes coming after me
High sheriff and police coming after me
And I feel like I gotta travel on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes winter's coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I 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 girl this poor boy ever had
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, yes winter's coming on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I gotta travel on
Travel on
Travel on
Travel on
The song “Gotta Travel On” by Billy Grammer talks about the need for the singer to leave town and travel. Having played around the town for too long, he feels like he wants to explore new places and experiences. The lyrics suggest a feeling of restlessness as the singer sees summer ending and winter approaching. He also talks about Johnny, who unfortunately cannot come home since he has been on the chain gang for too long. This creates a sense of freedom vs. confinement, where the singer wants to travel while others are tied down.
Furthermore, the high sheriff and police are riding after him, creating a sense of urgency and the need to move on to avoid consequences. The last few stanzas of the song talk about the singer's desire to see his love interest, who means the world to him. He is clearly torn between his attachment to his hometown and his desire to explore the world and see his loved one. The repetition of the words “I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long” highlights the singer's longing to leave his hometown behind and set out on a new journey.
Overall, the song’s lyrics paint a clear picture of someone who wants to explore the world and feels that leaving town is the only way to fulfill their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
I have spent enough leisure time and mischief in this town.
Summer's almost gone, yes winter's coming on
The end of summer is drawing near and the onset of winter is approaching.
And I feel like I gotta travel on
I have a strong desire to embark on a journey.
Poppa writes to Johnny, but Johnny can't come home
Father sends a letter to Johnny, but it is impossible for him to return.
Johnny can't come home, no Johnny can't come home
Johnny is unable to come back home.
Cause he's been on the chain gang, too long
He has been serving in the chain gang for a significant amount of time.
High sheriff and police riding after me
The high sheriff and the police are in pursuit of me.
Riding after me, yes coming after me
They are chasing me and closing in on me.
And I feel like I gotta travel on
I sense an urgent need to depart from this place.
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
I have been idle and mischievous for too long in this town.
Want to see my honey, want to see her bad
I have a strong desire to reunite with my beloved.
Want to see her bad, oh want to see her bad
I really want to see her soon.
She's the best girl this poor boy ever had
She is the most wonderful woman I have ever been with despite my humble circumstances.
And I feel like I gotta travel on
I have a deep compulsion to set out on a journey.
Travel on
Proceed on the journey.
Travel on
Keep on travelling.
Travel on
Travel on and on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Lazar, Larry Ehrlich, Paul Clayton, Tom Six
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1959 {February 16th} "Gotta Travel On" by Billy Grammer peaked at #5 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Country and Western Sides chart...
One month earlier "Gotta Travel On" reached #4 {for 1 week} on January 6th, 1959 on the Billboard's Hot 100 chart...
Between 1959 and 1969 the Benton, Illinois native had eight records on the Hot C&W chart, one made the Top 10, the above "Gotta Travel On...
He had one Top 20 record, "I Wanna Go Home", it peaked at #18 in 1963...
Billy Wayne Grammer passed away at the age of 85 on August 10th, 2011...
May he R.I.P.
* And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the Hot C&W Sides Top 10 on February 16th, 1959:
At #1. "Billy Bayou" by Jim Reeves
#2. "Don't Take Your Guns To Town" by Johnny Cash
#3. "Country Music Is Here To Stay" by Simon Crum
#4. "Life To Go" by Stonewall Jackson
#5. the above "Gotta Travel On"
#6. "Come Walk With Me" by Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
#7. "When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below)" by Johnny Horton
#8. "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" by Charlie Walker
#9. "I've Run Out of Tomorrows" by Hank Thompson
#10. "Dark Hollow" by Jimmie Skinner
@mkl62
This hit from Billy Grammer went to #4 on the Top 40 charts. It also went to #5 on the Country & Western charts and to #14 on the Rhythm & Blues charts. It would finish at #53 for the year, 1959.
@RayMontee
Always enjoyed this artists voice and especially this recording. His band was always well balanced. I sure miss him and his music.
@miltonmoore8369
OK, BUT THIS WASN'T HIS BAND. THIS IS JIM REEVES' BAND, "THE BLUE BOYS."
Respectfully
@DancingSpiderman
Wow, I remember this song, playing on the radio early in the morning, crack of dawn, coffee brewing in Grandma's house. What a song ! Rest In Peace, Billy Grammer.
@danielbutler578
Heard this song many times on the Grand Ole Opry when I was growing up. It's a shame they don't play songs like this on the radio anymore
@robertshorthill6836
What a great song in the C&W genre from 1959. It became a mainstay in the bluegrass genre, also. I had heard it at least 3 times at the Sandpoint, Idaho, bluegrass festivals in the mid 80s.
@kingslandhome
This is fantastic music for all the generations. Sounds just timeless !!
@warrenhoward3571
Had this song in my thoughts all day! Just had to hear it one more time. What a great memory, from an even greater artist.
@1957wrb
One of the greats. So sad we have lost another great musician, friend and brother. RIP Billy Grammer
@larryfukunaga9250
Great song by a master, a haunting piece that one cannot forget. In the cobwebs of my memory, it was popular in Hawaii when I was growing up.