Chester Burton Atkins born 20 June 1924 - Died 30 June 2001 in Nashville, T… Read Full Bio ↴Chester Burton Atkins born 20 June 1924 - Died 30 June 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (1942–1996) . was an American guitarist and record producer. Together with Owen Bradley, Atkins created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country music's appeal to include adult pop music fans as well. His virtuoso picking style - inspired by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes and Les Paul - brought him admirers both within and outside the country scene. Atkins produced records for Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves, Jerry Reed, Connie Smith, and Waylon Jennings.

St Louis Blues
Chet Atkins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I hate to see that evening sun go down
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause my baby, he's gone left this town

Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way

St. Louis woman with her diamond ring
Pulls that man around by her, if it wasn't for her and her
That man I love would have gone nowhere, nowhere

I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me

I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie

Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
I love my man till the day I die

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Chet Atkins's song "St. Louis Blues" sets a somber tone that is maintained throughout the piece. The lyricist states that they "hate to see that evening sun go down" because their significant other has left town, leaving them feeling lost and alone. There is an air of desperation in the repetition of the line, which suggests that the singer is struggling to come to terms with the absence of their loved one.

As the song progresses, the singer muses about what tomorrow will bring. They suggest that if they feel "like I feel today", they will "pack my trunk and make my give-a-way", indicating that they are considering leaving town themselves. The St. Louis woman is introduced, a figure who wields great power over her man thanks to her diamond ring. The singer believes that, were it not for the St. Louis woman, their love would still be intact.

Line by Line Meaning

I hate to see that evening sun go down
I dislike that the day is ending

Cause my baby, he's gone left this town
My beloved has departed this place

Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
I predict my emotions will remain unchanged

I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way
I will prepare to depart this city

St. Louis woman with her diamond ring
A lady from St. Louis who possesses many fine jewels

Pulls that man around by her, if it wasn't for her and her
Her influence is what keeps him around

That man I love would have gone nowhere, nowhere
He would not have achieved anything without her

I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
I am feeling incredibly sad and down

That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
My love has a cold heart, impervious to emotion

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
He departed from me because of his lack of affection

I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
I am extremely devoted to my beloved

Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
I love him with a great passion and fervor

I love my man till the day I die
My adoration for my beloved is eternal

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, HANDY BROTHERS MUSIC CO.,INC.
Written by: William Christopher Handy

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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