White Trash Story
Casey Donahew Lyrics
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His wife MaryLou she runs the Caberet in town
And they've got two kids, and they don't look like him
He's a tractor tech, he's a redneck, now he's gettin' drunk again
I'm talkin' bout the good times
I'm drinkin' down the bad
I'm tryin' to remember
But now I'm empty
But I'm not sad
I'm talkin' bout the good times
And drinkin' down the bad
Miss Sara Ann Bakersmith
She was my girlfriend
I took her top off for the first time at the drive-in
You know those had to be
The coolest things I'd seen
She was passed around like a bottle of crown
But she was always sweet to me
I'm talkin' bout the good times
I'm drinkin' down the bad
I'm tryin' to remember
All those crazy nights that we had
But now I'm empty
But I'm not sad
I'm talkin' bout the good times
And drinkin' down the bad
And now Junior's Junior's kid
You know they call him "The Deuce"
And his grandma she drinks vodka in her orange juice
She sells pot to kids
And she just got out of jail
Junior had to sell his new John-boat
Just to help to raise the bail
I'm talkin' bout the good times
Drinkin' down the bad
I'm tryin' to remember
All those crazy nights that we had
But now I'm empty
But I'm not sad
I'm talkin' bout the good times
And drinkin' down the bad
And now my name's Carl Wayne, and I've had two DUI's
Three years ago they took my license I don't drive
These boots can get me there
'Cause I live just down the street
And it's last call, it's too far to crawl, now help me to my feet
I'm talkin' bout the good times
And drinkin' down the bad
I'm tryin' to remember
All those crazy nights that we had
But now I'm empty
But I'm not sad
I'm talkin' bout the good times
And drinkin' down the bad
I'm just talkin' bout the good times
And drinkin' down the bad
Well I'm talkin' bout the good times
"White Trash Story" by Casey Donahew is a song that describes the lives of some people from a small town, with particular focus on three characters - Junior, his wife MaryLou, and the singer himself, Carl Wayne. Junior is a redneck tractor tech who is always getting drunk, while MaryLou runs the local cabaret. The couple has two children, who don't look like Junior. Meanwhile, the singer reminisces about his past experiences with his girlfriend, Sara Ann Bakersmith. They had their first intimate moment at a drive-in and she had a reputation for being promiscuous but was always sweet to him. Later in the song, we hear about the second generation, as Junior's kid, known as "The Deuce", and his grandmother, who sells pot to kids, enter the picture.
The song is simultaneously nostalgic and cynical, with the singer trying to remember the good times while acknowledging the bad. The focus is on living in the moment, even if that moment is not ideal. The characters' lives are not glamorous or enviable, but they find joy in what they have. The song is a commentary on rural poverty and the struggles of blue-collar families, emphasizing the concept of working hard and playing harder. Ultimately, the song is an homage to the resilience of people who, despite their hardships, keep going and make the most of their limited resources.
Line by Line Meaning
My best friend Junior, he lives two trailers down
My closest buddy, Junior, resides two trailers away from where I live.
His wife MaryLou she runs the Caberet in town
Junior's wife, MaryLou, runs the Caberet entertainment facility located in the town.
And they've got two kids, and they don't look like him
Junior and MaryLou have two children whose physical characteristics are different from Junior's.
He's a tractor tech, he's a redneck, now he's gettin' drunk again
Junior, a tractor technician and redneck, is currently getting intoxicated again.
Miss Sara Ann Bakersmith, She was my girlfriend
Miss Sara Ann Bakersmith was my previous romantic partner.
I took her top off for the first time at the drive-in
I removed Sara Ann's top for the first time at the drive-in movie theater.
She was passed around like a bottle of crown
Sara Ann was promiscuous and indulged in casual sex with multiple partners.
But she was always sweet to me
Despite her reputation, she was always kind and affectionate towards me.
Junior had to sell his new John-boat just to help to raise the bail
Junior had to sell his newly bought John-boat to pay for the bail of one of his family members who was arrested.
And now my name's Carl Wayne, and I've had two DUI's
I am now referred to as Carl Wayne, and I have been arrested two times for driving under the influence.
These boots can get me there, 'Cause I live just down the street
I can walk to my destination as I live only a short distance away, and my boots are good enough to walk the distance.
And it's last call, it's too far to crawl, now help me to my feet
The bar is closing, and it is too far of a distance for me to crawl, so I need help getting back on my feet.
I'm talkin' bout the good times And drinkin' down the bad
I am reminiscing about the great moments that I once had and drinking to forget the negative things that have happened.
I'm tryin' to remember All those crazy nights that we had
I am making an effort to recall all the wild nights that we have experienced together.
But now I'm empty But I'm not sad
Although I feel depleted, I am not feeling down and out.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, TuneCore Inc.
Written by: CASEY J DONAHEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind