County Line
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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It was a ten miles stretch on a Pennsylvania road
A sky blue Jaguar and a Thunderbird Ford
The Jaguar setting on 99
Tryin' to beat the Bird to the county line

Just a half a mile from Ludenville
They had a speed sign sitting at the top of the hill
Said, "35 miles and stay in line"
But the Jaguar and Thunderbird never made to sign

Look out

Ludenville was a real small town
Just a 102 and nine acres of ground
Some stool pigeon put the county sheriff wise
Told him, "Park down in Ludenville and catch 'em guys"

Sheriff laid low, half hid in the weeds
He sat for eight days, didn't nobody speed
A cloud of dust came appearing up the road
Here come the Jaguar and Thunderbird Ford

Here they come

Old Sheriff doubled clutched second, put it in third
Turned around and went after the Thunderbird
He knew he'd get a bonus and a big fat fine
If he could catch 'em 'fore they crossed that county line

The Sheriff used to drive his car a hundred and ten
And if he aimed to get 'em, he'd have to do it again
The crest of the hill, he's 'bout a mile behind
There wasn't but three more miles to the county line

You better run

Old Sheriff he was countin' on the downward grade
And with the wind behind him, he'd do a hundred in the shade
The Thunderbird saw the Sheriff gainin' speed
Put his foot to the four and pulled up to the lead

Jaguar said, "You ain't won the race yet"
And pulled back around the Bird like a sabre jet




The Sheriff's doin' better than a hundred and nine
But hit the bumper with the Bird when they cross the line

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chuck Berry's "County Line" narrate a car race between a sky blue Jaguar and a Thunderbird Ford on a ten-mile stretch of a Pennsylvania road, where the drivers compete to reach the county line in a speedy manner. Even though Ludenville is a small town with a low speed limit, both the vehicles ignore the signs, which results in attracting the county sheriff's attention. The sheriff lays low and hides, waiting for eight days to catch the reckless drivers. Finally, when the Jaguar and the Thunderbird appear on the road, he chases them down to penalize them with a big fat fine. The drivers try their best to win the race, but in the end, the Thunderbird hits the Sheriff's car when they cross the county line.


The narrative of the "County Line" song symbolizes the rebellious spirit of the youth in the 1950s and '60s, where fast cars and reckless driving represented a form of rebellion that challenged the societal norms. The lyrics also showcase the power dynamics amongst the characters involved in the race, where the Sheriff holds the law, but he also seeks personal gain in the form of a bonus. The drivers of the Jaguar and the Thunderbird represent the youth who challenge the authority and are willing to take risks and break the law for the sake of winning.


Line by Line Meaning

It was a ten miles stretch on a Pennsylvania road
The singer describes the location of the story as a long road in Pennsylvania.


A sky blue Jaguar and a Thunderbird Ford
Two cars, a Jaguar and a Thunderbird, are racing each other.


The Jaguar setting on 99
The Jaguar is driving at a speed of 99 miles per hour.


Tryin' to beat the Bird to the county line
The Jaguar is attempting to cross the county line before the Thunderbird.


Just a half a mile from Ludenville
The two cars are approaching a small town called Ludenville.


They had a speed sign sitting at the top of the hill
A speed limit sign is placed at the top of a hill leading into the town.


Said, "35 miles and stay in line"
The speed limit is 35 miles per hour and drivers must stay in their lane.


But the Jaguar and Thunderbird never made to sign
The two cars did not slow down for the speed limit sign and continued racing.


Ludenville was a real small town
The town of Ludenville is a small, insignificant place.


Just a 102 and nine acres of ground
The town is only 102 acres in size.


Some stool pigeon put the county sheriff wise
Someone informed the county sheriff of the illegal street race taking place.


Told him, "Park down in Ludenville and catch 'em guys"
The informant told the sheriff to hide in Ludenville and catch the drivers.


Sheriff laid low, half hid in the weeds
The sheriff hid in the bushes to avoid being seen.


He sat for eight days, didn't nobody speed
The sheriff waited for eight days without any speeding cars passing through.


A cloud of dust came appearing up the road
The two racing cars finally appear on the road near Ludenville.


Here come the Jaguar and Thunderbird Ford
The two racing cars are approaching the county line.


Old Sheriff doubled clutched second, put it in third
The sheriff shifted gears in his car to catch up to the other two cars.


Turned around and went after the Thunderbird
The sheriff decided to pursue the Thunderbird instead of the Jaguar.


He knew he'd get a bonus and a big fat fine
The sheriff expected a reward and a large fine from catching the illegal racers.


If he could catch 'em 'fore they crossed that county line
The sheriff wanted to catch the racers before they crossed the county line.


The Sheriff used to drive his car a hundred and ten
The sheriff is a fast driver and used to drive at 110 mph.


And if he aimed to get 'em, he'd have to do it again
The sheriff knows he will have to drive very fast to catch the racing cars.


The crest of the hill, he's 'bout a mile behind
The sheriff is a mile behind the racing cars, but at the top of a hill.


There wasn't but three more miles to the county line
There are only three miles left until the county line is crossed.


Old Sheriff he was countin' on the downward grade
The sheriff hoped to use the downhill slope to gain speed and catch the racers.


And with the wind behind him, he'd do a hundred in the shade
The wind behind the car would help it reach a speed of 100 mph without overheating.


The Thunderbird saw the Sheriff gainin' speed
The Thunderbird notices the sheriff is gaining on them.


Put his foot to the four and pulled up to the lead
The driver of the Thunderbird accelerates and takes the lead.


Jaguar said, "You ain't won the race yet"
The driver of the Jaguar reminds the Thunderbird that the race is not over yet.


And pulled back around the Bird like a sabre jet
The Jaguar passes the Thunderbird again like a fast-moving fighter jet.


The Sheriff's doin' better than a hundred and nine
The sheriff is driving faster than his usual speed of 109 mph.


But hit the bumper with the Bird when they cross the line
The sheriff crashes into the back of the Thunderbird as the cars cross the county line, catching the illegal racers.




Writer(s): Chuck E. Berry

Contributed by Ethan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Jack


on Little Marie (Alternate)

Yes, oh yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge, I'll pay
Which love one is calling me, I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my hearth, her Mom and my Marie

It so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee

Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know,
Surely, you have not forgot how much I love you so
If you would remember, Dear, and sometimes talk to me
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.

Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave
You did not want to see me off and promised not to grieve,
My hearth was tore apart as I looked back at my Marie
And there the peace is still remain with you in Tennessee.

I guess I should stop talking, after all you placed the call
But anyway that I can help, you know I'll help you all


Then she spoke and asked me to come back and see Marie
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.

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