Got It And Gone
Chuck Berry Lyrics


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When he was a child, just a baby boy
He wanted to play rock music and sing some songs of joy
When he started school, he just could pat his feet
The first song he ever learned had a strong boogie beat

Come on now
Rock it, rock it, rock it along
Roll it, roll it, roll it on
Git it, git it, git it on
Got it, got it, got it and gone

Then one day it happened, they hauled him off to war
Way over there in no man's land, just him and his guitar
Nobody near to love him, nobody ever sent him news
What could a poor boy do at night, but to sit down and sing them blues

Early one morning they called him, oh, what a beautiful day
They packed him in an old army plane and flew him back home to stay




He landed in Clark Air base, but didn't have no place to go
So he sit down with his guitar in the middle of the street and gave everybody a free show.

Overall Meaning

The song "Got It and Gone" by Chuck Berry tells the story of a boy who wanted to play rock music and sing songs of joy from a young age. When he started school, he had a natural inclination for music and was able to tap his feet to the strong boogie beat. However, the young boy was called off to war one day, and he found himself way over there in no man's land with nothing but his guitar for company. He felt lonely and unloved in a foreign land, and he had no choice but to sit down and sing the blues at night.


One bright day, he was called back home and landed in Clark Air Base with no place to go. The boy sat down with his guitar in the middle of the street and started singing, giving everyone a free show. The chorus of the song includes the repeated phrase "rock it, roll it, git it, got it, and gone," which is a catchy way of describing how the boy made his music and disappeared into the night, much like a rock and roll musician on tour.


The powerful narrative in "Got It and Gone" highlights the transformative power of music and how it can sustain us through the most challenging times. The song also serves as a tribute to the soldiers who served in wars abroad and highlights the important role that music played in lifting their spirits and providing comfort during their lonely moments.


Interesting facts about "Got It and Gone" by Chuck Berry:


Line by Line Meaning

When he was a child, just a baby boy
Chuck Berry wanted to play music from a very young age


He wanted to play rock music and sing some songs of joy
Chuck Berry was specifically interested in playing rock music and singing joyful songs


When he started school, he just could pat his feet
From a very early age, Chuck Berry had a natural rhythm and ability to keep time


The first song he ever learned had a strong boogie beat
The first song Chuck Berry learned to play had a strong boogie rhythm


Come on now
A call to action, inviting listeners to participate in the music


Rock it, rock it, rock it along
Encouraging listeners to rock and dance to the music


Roll it, roll it, roll it on
Inviting listeners to keep the music going and not stop


Git it, git it, git it on
A slang term meaning 'get it', urging listeners to fully embrace the music


Got it, got it, got it and gone
Chuck Berry has the music and is ready to move on to the next song


Then one day it happened, they hauled him off to war
Chuck Berry was drafted into the military to fight in a war


Way over there in no man's land, just him and his guitar
Chuck Berry was sent to a dangerous and isolated area to fight, but still had his guitar with him


Nobody near to love him, nobody ever sent him news
Chuck Berry was far away from his loved ones and didn't receive any updates from home


What could a poor boy do at night, but to sit down and sing them blues
To cope with his loneliness and fear, Chuck Berry turned to playing and singing the blues


Early one morning they called him, oh, what a beautiful day
Chuck Berry was called to serve in the military early one morning


They packed him in an old army plane and flew him back home to stay
Chuck Berry was eventually discharged and flown back home


He landed in Clark Air base, but didn't have no place to go
Chuck Berry returned home, but did not have a place to stay


So he sit down with his guitar in the middle of the street and gave everybody a free show
To make some money and entertain others, Chuck Berry played his guitar in a public place for free




Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: CHUCK BERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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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