Western Union Wire
Billy Joe Shaver & Kinky Friedman Lyrics
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From a cheap hotel in dallas
On a cold December day
A telegram was traveling on it's way
Like a sad old song from somewhere
In the distance of a dream
Flashing ¡®cross the darkness
It said, ¡°from billy,¡± at the bottom, ¡°to baby,¡± at the top
Western union wire ¡º ¡°please help me¡± ¡º stop.
Western union wire ¡º ¡°don't leave me.¡± ¡º stop.
Well, the taxicab it took her
To the airport in the dawn,
She knew in just an hour she'd be gone.
She was standing near the platform
¡®bout to board the big pan am
When someone came
And put the lonely message in her hand.
It said, ¡°from billy,¡± at the bottom, ¡°to baby,¡± at the top
Western union wire ¡º ¡°please help me¡± ¡º stop.
Western union wire ¡º ¡°don't leave me.¡± ¡º stop.
Headin' high above chicago
Just a-reachin' for the skies
She found herself with teardrops in her eyes.
And a little boy beside her asked her,
¡°mama, where is pop ? ¡±
And she just broke down a-cryin'
¡®cause she knew she couldn't stop.
It said, ¡°from billy,¡± at the bottom, ¡°to baby,¡± at the top
Western union wire ¡º ¡°don't leave me.¡± ¡º stop.
¡°ah, you said you'd always love me ¡º how could you ? ¡± ¡º stop,
¡°in pieces on the runway ¡º I love you.¡± ¡º stop.
The lyrics of Billy Joe Shaver's "Western Union Wire" tell the story of a woman receiving a telegram from Billy Joe, who is desperately pleading for her not to leave him. The lyrics are filled with imagery that creates a sense of sadness and loneliness, as the singer receives the telegram in a cheap hotel in Dallas on a cold December day, and then makes her way to the airport to leave Billy Joe behind. As she is flying above Chicago, she is overcome with emotion and breaks down in tears, holding the telegram in her hand. The telegram is filled with heart-wrenching messages, from Billy Joe pleading for her to stay, to saying that he loves her and is in pieces on the runway.
The song is filled with sadness and regret, as the singer is torn between her love for Billy Joe and the need to leave him. The Western Union wire serves as a conduit for the communication between the two lovers, but it is clear that the physical distance between them is too great to overcome. The lyrics show how technology can be used to bring people together, but also how it can exacerbate the sense of loss and longing that can result from being separated from loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
From a cheap hotel in dallas
The song starts with a description of the place where the telegram was sent from.
On a cold December day
The telegram was sent during the winter season, possibly suggesting a feeling of loneliness and misery.
A telegram was traveling on it's way
The song introduces the central theme of the telegram's journey and its urgent request for help.
Like a sad old song from somewhere
The telegram is compared to a mournful melody that comes from far away, signifying the distance between Billy and his lover.
In the distance of a dream
The telegram's message seems unattainable, like a vague and unfulfilled desire.
Flashing ¡®cross the darkness
The image implies the telegram traveling at great speed across the night, trying to reach its destination before it's too late.
It said, ¡°from billy,¡± at the bottom, ¡°to baby,¡± at the top
The telegram announces its sender and receiver, revealing that Billy is begging for help from his lover.
Western union wire ¡º ¡°please help me¡± ¡º stop.
The telegram's message is direct and urgent, pleading with Billy's lover to assist him in some way.
Western union wire ¡º ¡°don't leave me.¡± ¡º stop.
The telegram's second line reveals the underlying fear and desperation of the situation, with Billy asking his lover not to abandon him.
Well, the taxicab it took her
The narrative shifts to the perspective of Billy's lover, who is rushing to catch a plane to be with him.
To the airport in the dawn,
The lover is making her way to the airport before sunrise, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
She knew in just an hour she'd be gone.
The song suggests that the lover is aware of the limited time she has left to reach Billy.
She was standing near the platform
The lover has reached her destination and is ready to board her flight.
¡®bout to board the big pan am
The lover is preparing to get on board a large airplane, emphasizing the distance between her and Billy.
When someone came
At this moment, someone approaches her with the telegram in hand.
And put the lonely message in her hand.
The delivery of the telegram further underscores the longing and melancholy nature of the song.
Headin' high above chicago
The narrative shifts again to the perspective of the lover, who is now mid-flight en route to Billy.
Just a-reachin' for the skies
The song uses the image of the plane heading towards the heavens to emphasize how far removed the lover is from reality.
She found herself with teardrops in her eyes.
The lover breaks down in tears, suggesting a sense of heartbreak, desperation, and sadness.
And a little boy beside her asked her,
The presence of the boy emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the effect it will have on not just the lovers, but their family as well.
¡°mama, where is pop ? ¡±
The boy's question highlights the absence of Billy, suggesting that his relationship with his family will be negatively impacted by his separation from his lover.
And she just broke down a-cryin'
The song reinforces the emotional pain and turmoil of the situation, with the lover breaking down in tears once again.
¡®cause she knew she couldn't stop.
The lover is left with the feeling of powerlessness, realizing there is little she can do to change the situation.
It said, ¡°from billy,¡± at the bottom, ¡°to baby,¡± at the top
The telegram's message recalls the central theme of the song: Billy's longing and desperate message to his lover.
Western union wire ¡º ¡°don't leave me.¡± ¡º stop.
By repeating the plea, the song underscores the desperation and panic that Billy must be feeling.
¡°ah, you said you'd always love me ¡º how could you ? ¡± ¡º stop,
The twist in the lyrics goes back to the lover, expressing her doubt and guiltiness in the situation. She might have said that she would always love Billy, but she is leaving him behind.
¡°in pieces on the runway ¡º I love you.¡± ¡º stop.
The final line of the song is a declaration of love that comes too late. Billy's message suggests a possible tragic outcome awaiting him, while simultaneously affirming the depth of his love for the lover.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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