A stalwart of the house band at the famous Austin blues club Antone's Nightclub, O'Brien is most often found backing up other Austin frontmen, including Delbert McClinton, Lou Ann Barton, The Texas Tornados and almost anyone recording on the Antone's Records label.
O'Brien has also backed up major blues names such as Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. Ted Drozdowski, writing on Gibson Guitars' website, says, "O’Brien has a terse, arrow-sharp and spare style comparable to Jimmie Vaughan’s – light on flash, but soooo right. Check it out."
Milk Cow Blues
Derek O'Brien Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looked out my door
I could tell my milk cow
Could tell by the way she lows
So if you see my milk cow
Won't you drive her on home?
'Cause I ain't had no milk and butter
Since my cow's been gone
Now you better treat me right, baby, day by day
Get out your little prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray
'Cause you're gonna need my help someday
Yeah, and you're gonna be sorry that you treated me this way
Well, I said sail, sail on
I said sail on, pretty gal, sail on
You're gonna keep right on sailing 'til you lose your happy home
Let me hear you, Mickey
I've tried everything, good woman, to get along with you
Now I'm gonna tell what I'm gonna do
Quit my crying
Leave you alone
If you don't think I'm leaving, you can just count the days I'm gone
'Cause you ain't gonna see me
You ain't gonna see my sweet face no more
And you're going to be wondering where in this world I'm gone
You can count on me
The lyrics to Derek O'Brien's song "Milk Cow Blues" are a representation of a person who has lost their milk cow and is now suffering from the absence of milk and butter. The singer wakes up one morning and looks outside to notice that his milk cow is missing. He can tell by the way she lows that she’s gone. He then urges the listener to drive his milk cow back to his farm so he can have his milk and butter. The tone of the song is rather melancholic as the singer feels lost without his cow.
The second verse takes a turn, as the singer threatens his partner about treating him right. He asks his partner to get down on her knees and pray because she’s going to need his help someday, and she’ll be sorry for the treatment she's given him. In the third and final verse, the singer announces that he’s leaving his partner and she won’t see him again. He tells her she can count the days he’s gone, all the while assuring her that she can count on him.
Overall, the lyrics showcased in Derek O'Brien's "Milk Cow Blues" give the notion of a person who is struggling with the absence of something important to him. It's hinted that the singer is not just concerned about his milk and butter but also that he is feeling lost without his milk cow.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I woke up this morning
I started my day today
Looked out my door
Checked what was happening outside my house
I could tell my milk cow
I knew what was up with my cow
Could tell by the way she lows
I knew something was wrong with her sounds
So if you see my milk cow
If you come across my cow
Won't you drive her on home?
Please take her back to my house
'Cause I ain't had no milk and butter
I have been without milk and butter
Since my cow's been gone
Ever since my cow left
Now you better treat me right, baby, day by day
You better treat me well, consistently
Get out your little prayer book
Go and get your religious book
Get down on your knees and pray
Get on your knees and pray
'Cause you're gonna need my help someday
You will require my assistance one day
Yeah, and you're gonna be sorry that you treated me this way
You'll regret it if you mistreat me
Well, I said sail, sail on
I encouraged someone to sail away
I said sail on, pretty gal, sail on
I encouraged a young and attractive woman to sail away
You're gonna keep right on sailing 'til you lose your happy home
You're going to sail until you lose your comfortable home
Let me hear you, Mickey
Someone named Mickey asked to speak
I've tried everything, good woman, to get along with you
I've attempted various things to maintain a good relationship with you, lady
Now I'm gonna tell what I'm gonna do
I'll now disclose my plans
Quit my crying
I'll stop shedding tears
Leave you alone
I'll end our relationship
If you don't think I'm leaving, you can just count the days I'm gone
If you think I'm not serious about leaving, wait until I'm gone
'Cause you ain't gonna see me
Because you won't see me
You ain't gonna see my sweet face no more
You won't see my attractive face anymore
And you're going to be wondering where in this world I'm gone
You'll be curious about my whereabouts
You can count on me
I can always be relied upon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KOKOMO ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind