Jailer Bring Me Water
Freddie & The Dreamers Lyrics


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Jailer, bring me water
Jailer, bring me water
Jailer, bring me water
My throat is kind-a dry.
Well, I never had me no money
Never had me no money
Never had me no money
I ain't that kind-a guy.

Oh, … jailer, bring me water
Jailer, bring me water
Jailer, bring me water
My throat is kind-a dry

I'm gonna work 'til the good Lord calls me
Be workin' 'til the good Lord calls me
I'm gonna work until the good Lord calls me
It'll be in the by and by.

Oh, … jailer, bring me water
Jailer, bring me water
Jailer, bring me water
My throat is kind-a dry.

Now, … jailer, should ya see my baby
Jailer, if ya see my baby
Jailer, if ya see my baby
Just tell her I said, "Good-bye."

Everybody singin' ……….

Jailer, …
Jailer, bring me water
Come on … jailer, bring me …
Jailer, bring me water
Come on … jailer, bring me …
Jailer, bring me water
Come on … jailer, bring me …
My throat is kind-a dry.

Ah, … jailer, won't ya bring me some ...
Bring me water
Jailer, won't ya bring me some ...
Bring me water




Jailer, won't ya bring me water
My throat is kind-a dry.

Overall Meaning

The song "Jailer Bring Me Water" by Freddie & The Dreamers is about a man who has no money, is in jail, and is desperately thirsty. He calls out to the jailer to bring him water because his throat is dry. This simple phrase is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the character's need for relief. The man's lack of money is established, but he declares himself a hard worker and implies that he will continue to work until he dies and is called by the Lord. In the last verse, the man asks the jailer to tell his baby that he has said goodbye, implying that he may not make it out of jail alive.


The repetition of the phrase "jailer, bring me water" serves as a metaphor for the man's lack of agency and vulnerability. He is dependent on the jailer for sustenance and needs someone else to provide for him. The song could also be interpreted as a critique of the prison system and its treatment of inmates.


Overall, the simple lyrics of "Jailer Bring Me Water" shed light on the plight of impoverished inmates and the need for basic necessities like water. The man's declaration of his work ethic and his farewell to his baby add a layer of emotional depth to the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Jailer, bring me water
The singer is asking the jailer to bring him some water


My throat is kind-a dry
The singer is expressing how his throat is dry and he needs water


Never had me no money
The singer has never had any money


I ain't that kind-a guy
The singer is saying that he is not the type of person who has money


I'm gonna work 'til the good Lord calls me
The singer intends to work until he dies, which he believes will be when the Lord calls him


It'll be in the by and by
The singer believes that he will die when the Lord calls him, but doesn't know when that will happen


Jailer, should ya see my baby
The singer is asking the jailer to pass on a message to his baby if he sees her


Just tell her I said, "Good-bye."
The singer wants the jailer to tell his baby goodbye from him


Jailer, won't ya bring me some ...
The singer is asking the jailer again for water




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bobby Darin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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