on the road again
David Evans Lyrics
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But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can't carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else
The lyrics of David Evans's song On The Road Again express a sense of weariness and a desire to keep moving forward, no matter what. The repetition of the line "I'm on the road again" reinforces the idea that the singer is determined to keep going, despite feeling exhausted and drained. The line "Well, I'm so tired of crying," suggests that the journey has been difficult and emotionally challenging, but the singer is not giving up.
The first verse introduces the idea that the singer is alone, without a special woman in his life. This reinforces the sense of loneliness and isolation that is present in the song, while also highlighting the fact that the singer is self-sufficient and capable of carrying on without needing anyone else. The second verse adds a layer of backstory to the song, with the singer reminiscing about his first time traveling out on his own, with no money and nowhere to go. The reference to traveling "out in the rain and snow" adds a sense of physical hardship to the story, suggesting that the journey has not been an easy one.
The final verse introduces the idea of the singer's mother, who left him when he was young. This adds a further layer of emotional complexity to the song, suggesting that the singer's journey may be driven by a desire to prove himself, or to find a sense of belonging and purpose in the world. The line "Take a hint from me, mama, please don't you cry no more" suggests that the singer is aware of his mother's pain and wants to reassure her that he will find his way. The final lines, "But I ain't going down/That long old lonesome road/All by myself/I can't carry you, baby/Gonna carry somebody else," suggest that the singer is still committed to his journey, but is open to the idea of connecting with others along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm so tired of crying
I am exhausted from being upset
But I'm out on the road again
But I am traveling once again
I'm on the road again
I am traveling again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
I am exhausted from being upset
But I'm out on the road again
But I am traveling once again
I'm on the road again
I am traveling again
I ain't got no woman
I do not have a significant other
Just to call my special friend
To call my close acquaintance
You know the first time I traveled
When I first journeyed
Out in the rain and snow
In inclement weather conditions
In the rain and snow
Amidst the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
When I first journeyed
Out in the rain and snow
In inclement weather conditions
In the rain and snow
Amidst the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
I did not have any money
Not even no place to go
Without a destination
And my dear mother left me
And my beloved mother departed from me
When I was quite young
When I was very young
When I was quite young
When I was very young
And my dear mother left me
And my beloved mother departed from me
When I was quite young
When I was very young
When I was quite young
When I was very young
She said "Lord, have mercy
"Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"
On her sinful offspring
Take a hint from me, mama
Listen to my advice, mother
Please don't you cry no more
Refrain from crying any longer
Don't you cry no more
Abstain from crying any longer
Take a hint from me, mama
Listen to my advice, mother
Please don't you cry no more
Refrain from crying any longer
Don't you cry no more
Abstain from crying any longer
'Cause it's soon one morning
Because soon it will be morning
Down the road I'm going
I am traveling down the road
But I ain't going down
But I am not traveling
That long old lonesome road
That lengthy and desolate path
All by myself
By myself
But I ain't going down
But I am not traveling
That long old lonesome road
That lengthy and desolate path
All by myself
By myself
I can't carry you, baby
I cannot carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else
I will carry someone else
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH L. HICKSON, NATHAN B. MORRIS, RICKIE KENNETH FAMBRO, WANYA JERMAINE MORRIS, SHAWN PATRICK STOCKMAN
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