The Way It Goes
Gillian Welch Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Becky Johnson bought the farm
Put a needle in her arm
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

And her brother laid her down
In the cold Kentucky ground
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when she and I were friends

Well, Miranda ran away
Took her cat and left LA
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

She was busted, broke and flat
Had to sell that pussy cat
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when he and I were friends

See the brightest ones of all
Early in October fall
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

While the dark ones go to bed
With good whiskey in their head
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Now Billy Joe's back in the tank
You tell Russo, I'll tell Frank
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Did he throw her down a well?
Did she leave him for that swell?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when all of us were friends

When you lay me down to rest
Leave a pistol in my vest
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Do you miss my gentle touch?
Did I hurt you very much?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes




That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when you and I were friends

Overall Meaning

The song "The Way It Goes" by Gillian Welch is a reflection of the gritty and harsh realities of life. The song is essentially a litany of misfortunes and tragedies that befall the people in the song's world. The opening verse is an account of Becky Johnson, who has passed away due to a drug overdose. The way Gillian Welch delivers these lyrics and the use of the phrase "That's the way that it goes" give a sense of inevitability to the situation, suggesting that death by drug overdose is almost an expected outcome in this world. Later in the song, we hear about Miranda who has left LA and had to sell her cat to make ends meet. Once again, the phrase "That's the way that it goes" is used, indicating a resigned acceptance of misfortune.


The use of the phrase "That's the way that it goes" in every verse can be interpreted as a coping mechanism for the characters in the song. Gillian Welch is invoking a sense of fate, suggesting that these events are beyond our control, and that we must accept the events that take place in our lives. The line "Everybody's buying little baby clothes" is repeated in every verse, providing a contrast to the misfortunes that are being described. The repetition of this line highlights the cycle of life and death- while some are born and brought into this world joyfully, others are leaving it in tragic circumstances. The singer of the song once knew these people and calls them friends, but their lives have taken different paths, leading them to where they are now.


Line by Line Meaning

Becky Johnson bought the farm
Becky Johnson died


Put a needle in her arm
Drug overdose caused her death


That's the way that it goes
That's how life goes


That's the way
That's just how it is


And her brother laid her down
Her brother buried her


In the cold Kentucky ground
She was buried in Kentucky soil


That's the way that it goes
Death is inevitable


That's the way
That's just how it is


That's the way that it goes
Life is unpredictable


Everybody's buying little baby clothes
Life goes on even after death


That's the way that it ends
Death puts an end to life


Though there was a time when she and I were friends
She and the singer were once friends


Well, Miranda ran away
Miranda left her old life


Took her cat and left LA
Miranda went somewhere else and took her pet with her


She was busted, broke and flat
Miranda was penniless and desperate


Had to sell that pussy cat
Miranda was forced to sell her pet


That's the way that it goes
Misfortune can befall anyone


That's the way
That's just how it is


That's the way that it goes
Life has ups and downs


Everybody's buying little baby clothes
People still bring new life into the world


That's the way that it ends
Life goes on even after death


Though there was a time when he and I were friends
Miranda and the singer were once friends


See the brightest ones of all
The most vibrant people pass away


Early in October fall
In the fall season


While the dark ones go to bed
The somber individuals carry on with life


With good whiskey in their head
Possibly, drinking to forget


Now Billy Joe's back in the tank
Billy Joe is in jail


You tell Russo, I'll tell Frank
The singer is passing on this message


Did he throw her down a well?
A possible explanation for someone's disappearance


Did she leave him for that swell?
Another possible explanation for the disappearance


That's the way that it goes
Life can be full of mystery


That's the way
That's just how it is


That's the way that it goes
People disappear or have misfortune


Everybody's buying little baby clothes
Life goes on despite the grim realities


That's the way that it ends
Life still ends in death


Though there was a time when all of us were friends
All parties involved were once friends


When you lay me down to rest
When the singer dies and is buried


Leave a pistol in my vest
Leave a gun on me when I'm buried


Do you miss my gentle touch?
Asking someone about their feelings towards the singer


Did I hurt you very much?
Asking someone if the singer has hurt them


That's the way that it goes
Life is full of questions and regrets


That's the way
That's just how it is


That's the way that it goes
The pain and uncertainty of life continues


Everybody's buying little baby clothes
Life goes on despite the sadness


That's the way that it ends
Everything comes to a conclusion


Though there was a time when you and I were friends
A reminder of the past relationship




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Rawlings, Gillian Welch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

C S

Becky Johnson bought the farm
Put a needle in her arm
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

And her brother laid her down
In the cold Kentucky ground
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when she and I were friends

Well, Miranda ran away
Took her cat and left LA
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

She was busted, broke and flat
Had to sell that pussy cat
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when he and I were friends

See the brightest ones of all
Early in October fall
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

While the dark ones go to bed
With good whiskey in their head
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Now Billy Joe's back in the tank
You tell Russo, I'll tell Frank
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Did he throw her down a well?
Did she leave him for that swell?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when all of us were friends

When you lay me down to rest
Leave a pistol in my vest
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Do you miss my gentle touch?
Did I hurt you very much?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when you and I were friends



Alexandra M

Becky Johnson bought the farm
Put a needle in her arm
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

And her brother laid her down
In the cold Kentucky ground
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when she and I were friends

Well, Miranda ran away
Took her cat and left LA
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

She was busted, broke and flat
Had to sell that pussy cat
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when he and I were friends

See the brightest ones of all
Early in October fall
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

While the dark ones go to bed
With good whiskey in their head
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Now Billy Joe's back in the tank
You tell Russo, I'll tell Frank
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Did he throw her down a well?
Did she leave him for that swell?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when all of us were friends

When you lay me down to rest
Leave a pistol in my vest
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Do you miss my gentle touch?
Did I hurt you very much?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when you and I were friends



All comments from YouTube:

C S

Becky Johnson bought the farm
Put a needle in her arm
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

And her brother laid her down
In the cold Kentucky ground
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when she and I were friends

Well, Miranda ran away
Took her cat and left LA
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

She was busted, broke and flat
Had to sell that pussy cat
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when he and I were friends

See the brightest ones of all
Early in October fall
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

While the dark ones go to bed
With good whiskey in their head
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Now Billy Joe's back in the tank
You tell Russo, I'll tell Frank
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Did he throw her down a well?
Did she leave him for that swell?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when all of us were friends

When you lay me down to rest
Leave a pistol in my vest
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

Do you miss my gentle touch?
Did I hurt you very much?
That's the way that it goes
That's the way

That's the way that it goes
Everybody's buying little baby clothes
That's the way that it ends
Though there was a time when you and I were friends

dougsthang

I believe the line is "You tell Musso, I'll tell Frank" it's in reference to the old watering hole/restaurant on Hollywood Blvd in LA, Musso & Frank's

Tomasz Gądek

Thanks

Tim Whiting

I personally know people who died from heroin and I'm so lucky it wasnt me. Heroin Is terrible and alot of kids lost there parents as well.

Randy Squires

Southside darts.....

Angel Blessings

Our guitar class tutor gave us the lyrics to this with 'Russo' too...

8 More Replies...

Laurie Goldsmith

I keep coming back to this music again and again...when my dog was declining over several weeks I played her music in the house when I woke up and when I was driving home from work. It's like sitting in the sadness while reaping the deepness of this simplicity. Human tales of realness.

Max Power

Sorry about your dog.

F. B.

Yeah, I feel that. I keep coming back to this and singing along, again and again, like some nut. My aunt died a week ago and it really threw me for a loop. And these are crazy times we are living in, loss everywhere. This song really speaks to all that.

F. B.

I'm sorry about your dear dog dying.

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