Hey Joe
Del-Tinos Lyrics
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Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Huh! and that ain't cool
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Yeah!
Yes, I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
And I gave her the gun
And I shot her
Alright
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Yeah!
Oh dig it
Oh alright
Hey Joe,
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, I said
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
I'm goin' way down south
Way down to Mexico way
Alright
I'm goin' way down south
Way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
Goodbye everybody
Hey hey Joe
The lyrics of Del-Tinos’ “Hey Joe” tells the story of a man on the run who has just shot his lady and is planning to flee to Mexico where he hopes to be free from the consequences of his actions. The song is a ballad that features a conversation between Joe and an unknown person who is asking him where he is going with a gun. Joe replies that he plans to shoot his old lady because she has been caught “messin’ round with another man” and it’s not cool. The conversation continues where Joe confirms that he has indeed shot his lady because he caught her messing around town, and he hands over the gun with which he shot her to unknown persons to finish the job.
The lyrics are based on a traditional American folk song that has been played by different musicians and variations throughout history. Joe is a common name used to address someone accused of murder in folk and blues music. The song’s lyrics are not meant to condone violence, but they highlight that Joe is a man who has been pushed over the edge under trying circumstances, and he doesn’t feel like he has any other way out except through violence. The song was controversial when it was released in the 60s because of its subject, but it was a hit for the Del-Tinos and later covered by various artists such as Jimi Hendrix, who made it one of his signature songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Asking Joe's intentions with a gun in his hand.
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Repeated inquiry about Joe's plans with the gun.
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe intends to shoot his partner.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe's partner was cheating on him.
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Reaffirming Joe's plans.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Reiterating the reason for Joe's actions.
Huh! and that ain't cool
Joe is upset about the infidelity.
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Someone heard that Joe killed his mother.
You shot her down now
Confirmation that Joe killed his mother.
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Someone heard that Joe killed his partner.
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Confirmation that Joe killed his partner.
Yes, I did, I shot her
Joe admits to killing his partner.
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Joe caught his partner cheating.
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Joe confirms killing his partner due to the infidelity.
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
Another affirmation of the cheating.
And I gave her the gun
Joe supplied the gun himself.
And I shot her
Joe killed his partner himself.
Hey Joe, where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Asking Joe where he'll go to avoid punishment.
Hey Joe, I said where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Repeating the previous line.
I'm goin' way down south
Joe plans to flee to Mexico.
Way down to Mexico way
Reaffirming Joe's destination.
I'm goin' way down south
Repeating Joe's plans.
Way down where I can be free
Joe wants to escape the consequences of his actions.
Ain't no one gonna find me
Joe wants to ensure he cannot be caught.
Ain't no hang-man gonna
Joe wants to avoid capital punishment.
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
Joe doesn't want to be executed.
You better believe it right now
Emphasizing the importance of his plan.
I gotta go now
Joe wants to leave quickly.
Hey, Joe
Final address to Joe.
You better run on down
Advice for Joe to leave immediately.
Goodbye everybody
Joe is departing.
Hey hey Joe
Closing statement.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind