Stanley by God Terry
Elizabeth Cook Lyrics

Stanley by God Terry knew exactly how it felt
Stanley, who was known as 'God Terry', had a deep understanding of the emotions and experiences being portrayed in the song.

To play a George Jones song in a white leather belt
He would perform a George Jones song with great style and confidence, symbolized by his attire of a white leather belt.

With matching shoes, polyester blues
His attention to detail extended to his outfit, wearing shoes that perfectly complemented his polyester suit, expressing a sense of melancholy and nostalgia.

At the Pine Grove Lounge for all you can drink booze
He would entertain the crowd at the Pine Grove Lounge, a venue known for its unlimited supply of drinks, creating an atmosphere of revelry and excess.

A bloody bucket of ol broads and men
The audience consisted of older women and men, who had become lively and rowdy after consuming alcohol.

Who had been clean shaven when they started at 10
These individuals had arrived at the lounge early in the evening, appearing well-groomed and fresh-faced.

When Stanley got goin' with mama by his side
Once Stanley, accompanied by his mother, began performing, the energy and excitement heightened.

And daddy on bass singin' Charlie Pride
His father, playing the bass guitar, would join in to sing songs by Charlie Pride, contributing to the musical experience.

Kaw-lija, Folsom, Stand By Your Man
The band would play popular songs like 'Kaw-liga', 'Folsom Prison Blues', and 'Stand By Your Man', which resonated with the audience's nostalgic feelings.

Just a few you might hear from the band
These were just a handful of the many songs that the band would perform, captivating the listeners.

Nobody gets it like Tom T. Hall
Tom T. Hall's music, with its introspective and humorous elements, connected with the audience on a deep level, evoking understanding and empathy.

Sad spun laughs off a disco ball
The combination of sorrow and laughter could be experienced in the lounge, with the disco ball reflecting the contrasting emotions.

They could kinda play but they could really drink
Although their musical skills were average, their ability to consume alcohol was exceptional, often resulting in uninhibited honesty.

Somebody'd finally say exactly what they think
Under the influence of alcohol, someone would inevitably speak their mind honestly and without filter.

And Pine-Sol, sawdust and last night's beer
The atmosphere in the lounge was a blend of the strong scent of Pine-Sol cleaning solution, the earthy aroma of sawdust, and the lingering smell of beer from the previous night.

And a bolo tie on a rear view mirror
A bolo tie, a symbol of Western fashion, hung from the rearview mirror, adding a touch of cowboy aesthetic to the surroundings.

There's a fighter in every dancin' fool
Each person dancing in the lounge possessed a fighting spirit within them, striving to overcome their challenges and adversities.

I watched all as a baby from a black barstool
As an infant, the singer observed the lively scenes and interactions from a black barstool, observing the dynamics of the bar as they grew up.

Stanley's wife Carol didn't care to hang around
Carol, Stanley's wife, had no interest in staying at the lounge and being a part of the scene.

She liked her drink, just didn't take it in town
She enjoyed drinking alcohol but preferred not to do it in the public setting of the town.

They'd knock down drag out every weekend
Every weekend, they would engage in intense arguments and fights, often resulting in physical altercations.

By Sunday somebody's face was on the mend
By Sunday, one of the individuals involved in the fights would have visible injuries that were slowly healing.

And passed out cold on the concrete porch
After the confrontations, someone would end up unconscious and collapsed on the concrete porch, due to either exhaustion or intoxication.

Love sure is a bitch when your liver is scorched
The experience of love becomes challenging and painful when one's liver is severely damaged or affected by excessive alcohol consumption.

South end of the county had a whole nother bar
In the southern part of the county, there was another bar altogether, offering a different environment and atmosphere.

Where the band would play since it wasn't very far
The band would perform at this other bar because of its closeness in proximity to the previous one and its reputation as a music venue.

There were more strange women, even more smoke
The new bar attracted a larger number of unfamiliar women and had an even denser cloud of smoke, creating a more mysterious and hazy ambiance.

In a field by a legendary live oak
The bar was situated in a field next to a legendary live oak tree, adding a sense of folklore and history to the surroundings.

Carol came in hot on Hennessy
Carol entered the new bar in an intoxicated and fiery state after consuming Hennessy, a type of brandy.

Left and wrapped her car round that live oak tree
She drove away from the bar but ended up crashing her car into the live oak tree, causing significant damage.

I remember in the morning mama dropping the phone
The next morning, the singer recalls their mother being startled and dropping the phone, indicating something distressing had happened.

I remember hushed words and hearing daddy groan
They also remember whispering conversations and the sounds of their father groaning in pain, suggesting a moment of anguish.

They had a pretty daughter, shy little Sherry
Stanley and Carol had a beautiful daughter named Sherry, who was timid and reserved in her nature.

We went and picked her up from the school library
The artist and their family went to collect Sherry from the school library, emphasizing their close bond and familial support.

She was 16 and could sing so sweet
At the age of 16, Sherry possessed a sweet and melodious singing voice, showcasing her talent and potential.

And on a really good night she'd babysit me
On special occasions when Sherry didn't have any commitments, she would take care of the artist, providing them with comfort and companionship.

After all that it gets kinda cloudy
The narrative becomes less clear and more uncertain as the events that followed become hazy and difficult to recall.

But 2 years later she was Miss Sumter County
Two years later, Sherry achieved the title of Miss Sumter County, participating in a local pageant and being recognized for her beauty and charisma.

As small town, trashy, tragic goes
In the context of a small town characterized by its less refined qualities and unfortunate happenings, Sherry's story became a tale of tragedy.

She feathered her hair and sang The Rose
Sherry adopted the popular hairstyle trend of feathering her hair and would perform the song 'The Rose' as part of her repertoire, showcasing her artistic expression.

The whole Cow Palace knew just how she felt
The entire Cow Palace, a local venue, became aware of Sherry's emotions and vulnerabilities through her heartfelt performances and personal journey.

And Stanley By God Terry wore a white leather belt
Stanley, who was still referred to as 'God Terry', continued to wear his white leather belt, representing his commitment and dedication to his musical identity.

And country music and hillbilly pain
The genre of country music, intertwined with the pain and hardships often associated with a rural lifestyle, became a catalyst for emotional storytelling.

Make stories that'll hurt ya, and hold ya like a chain
These stories, filled with raw emotions and resonant experiences, possess the ability to affect and captivate listeners, gripping them like a powerful and unbreakable chain.