Down In The Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal Lyrics
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Down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me
But I don't fit in her society
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Every night I watch the lights from the house up on the hill
But I don't dare knock on her door
'Cause her daddy is my boss man
So I'll just have to be content
To see her whenever I can
Down in the boondocks
Down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me
But I don't fit in her society
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Down in the boondocks
Down in the boondocks
One fine day I'll find the way
To move from this old shack
I'll hold my head up like a king
And I never, never will look back
Until that morning, I'll work and slave
And I'll save every dime
But tonight, she'll have to steal away
To see me one more time
Down in the boondocks
Down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I love her, she loves me
But I don't fit in her society
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Billy Joe Royal's "Down in the Boondocks" is a tale of class struggle and true love. The song is about a boy who was raised on the wrong side of the tracks, the "boondocks," and falls in love with a girl from a wealthy family who lives up on the hill. The lyrics depict how the boy is judged by others because of where he was born and raised, and how he struggles to find acceptance and love from someone who doesn't fit into his own society. The song is characterized by a catchy, uptempo beat and the use of horns and a saxophone.
The lyrics express the boy's feelings of love and longing for the girl from the hill, but at the same time, he feels like an outsider in her world. The line "People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in" expresses the boy's frustration with how people judge him because of where he comes from. He longs to be with the girl he loves, yet he realizes that he doesn't fit in with her wealthy society. The song's chorus "Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks" expresses the author's prayer that the boy will find redemption and acceptance.
The song was a hit in 1965, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has been covered by many artists, including Kenny Loggins, who recorded a version of it on his 1978 album "Nightwatch." "Down in the Boondocks" is considered one of the most influential songs of the 1960s and has been credited with helping to popularize the "soul" style in pop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the boondocks
Living in a small, rural community
Down in the boondocks
Still living in a small, rural community
People put me down 'cause that's the side of town I was born in
I am ridiculed by others because I have always lived in this rural area
I love her, she loves me
I am in love with this girl and she loves me back
But I don't fit in her society
She comes from a wealthy family who don't accept me due to my upbringing
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
I am asking for God's mercy on me, because of the way others view me due to my rural background
Every night I watch the lights from the house up on the hill
I spend my evenings gazing at the lights from the girl's house who I am in love with
But I don't dare knock on her door
I am afraid to try and improve my situation by approaching her or her father
'Cause her daddy is my boss man
Her father is also my employer and holds power over me
So I'll just have to be content
I have no choice but to accept my situation as it is
To see her whenever I can
I will have to settle for brief interactions with her whenever possible
One fine day I'll find the way
One day, I will find a way to improve my situation
To move from this old shack
I will move away from my current living situation
I'll hold my head up like a king
When I do move away, I will hold my head up high and feel proud of myself
And I never, never will look back
I will not regret moving on from my rural community
Until that morning, I'll work and slave
Until I am able to leave, I will work tirelessly
And I'll save every dime
I will save every penny that I earn
But tonight, she'll have to steal away
For tonight, I will have to make do with just a brief meeting with the girl I love
To see me one more time
She will come to visit me one last time before I leave for good
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Again, I am asking for God's help and mercy due to my difficult upbringing and situation
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
A repeated plea for mercy from a difficult situation
Lord, have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Another repeated plea for mercy
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joe South
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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* Down in the Boondocks (1965)
Sung by Billy Joe Royal
γ ‘β (( Instrumental )) βγ ‘
Down in the boondocks
People put me down 'cause
That's the side of town I was born in
I love her she loves me but I don't fit in her society
Lord have mercy on the boy from down in the boondocks
Ev'ry night I watch the lights from the house up on the hill
I love a little girl who lives up there and I guess I always will
But I don't dare knock on her door
'Cause her daddy is my boss man
So I have to try to be content
Just to see her when ever I can
One fine day I'll find the way
To move from this old shack
I'll hold my head up like a king
And I never never will look back
Until that morning I'll work and slave
And I'll save ev'ry dime
But tonight she'll have to steal away
To see me one more time
@cristinpadilla3417
My Dad loved this song. Today marks 14 years since we lost him to cancer. I love and miss you so much Dad β€οΈ
@seanlove7751
I understand how that feels I Lost my mom..and she loved it to,,. this year makes 20 years for and my dad as well he died from cancer as well on Christmas Eve.. and my had died in August so I get when you here this song's it just hits home,..God bless you and your family
@standbyme4797
Ich bin bei euchπ’π’Habe meinen geliebten Papa letzten Dezember, am 4.Advent verloren. Auch er liebte dieses Lied...Ich vermisse ihn so sehr!β€β€β€
@harrodsfan
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@vincentross7469
My Sincere Condolences.
@TheRealtor247
I lost my mom to cancer 3 years ago and every now and then I hear a song that triggers me that reminds me of her. This is one of them.
@karinneumann5518
Bin 1956 geboren aber das Lied kenne ich,weil ich Oldies liebe,GrΓΌΓe aus Germany Schleswig-Holstein/Wedel β€πΆπ€
@kimberlyparkhurst4925
Who is listening to this song 2023
@krismoller6433
I am doing it in 2024! Great song. Still know all the words! We grew up in the best music generation (78 now)
@alexforest1
Iβam still enjoying this song .