Buddy Joe
Golden Earring Lyrics


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Let me tell you about Buddy Joe
When he came down from Mexico
With his pockets full of gold
With his pockets full of gold
Have you something to declare
Are you sure there's nothing there
Cause if there is, don't say
You've not been told

Oh, Buddy Joe
What have they done with the gold
Well, I don't really know

Well Buddy Joe searched all his life
Through Mexico, all the riversides
Not for the money, but for the gold
He needs to hold
Well Buddy Joe was proud as he was
Could not stand all the fuss
When they got to all his gold
He was ready to go

Oh, Buddy Joe
What have they done with the gold
I don't really know

Well you'll understand he didn't stand a chance
Everybody was shouting commands
When Buddy Joe split in a hurry
He was ready to be buried

Oh Buddy Joe




What have they done with the gold
I don't really know

Overall Meaning

The song "Buddy Joe" by Golden Earring is a story of a man named Buddy Joe who ventured into Mexico with his pockets full of gold. The lyrics suggest that Buddy Joe had searched for the gold for most of his life not for the sake of money, but for personal reasons, perhaps sentimental. The song reveals how Buddy Joe was stopped by the officials and asked if he had anything to declare, and he replied confidently with nothing. The song indicates that Buddy Joe felt that he would be able to get away with his gold without any issue, but he was clearly wrong.


The lyrics next reveal that despite Buddy Joe's effort to hide his gold, the authorities ended up finding out about it. The song implies that Buddy Joe may have suffered for his actions and that he had possibly lost everything. The chorus, "Oh, Buddy Joe, What have they done with the gold, Well, I don't really know" reveals that Buddy Joe's fate is unknown. It is left unclear whether Buddy Joe was arrested, killed or he went into hiding, and the gold was seized by those who found it.


Overall, the song seems to focus on the consequences of greed, as well as the risks that come with trying to keep secrets. It is a cautionary story that shows how even those who seem invincible can fall when they least expect it.


Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you about Buddy Joe
I want to share Buddy Joe’s story with you


When he came down from Mexico
After he arrived from Mexico


With his pockets full of gold
Carrying a lot of gold in his pockets


With his pockets full of gold
Carrying a lot of gold in his pockets


Have you something to declare
Do you have anything to declare, legally or illegally?


Are you sure there's nothing there
Are you certain there is nothing you’re attempting to smuggle?


Cause if there is, don't say
Don’t confess to any wrongdoing


You've not been told
I didn’t give you any advice to say the opposite of the truth


Oh, Buddy Joe
Hey, Buddy Joe


What have they done with the gold
How did it go with your gold?


Well, I don't really know
I don’t have the exact details


Well Buddy Joe searched all his life
Buddy Joe spent his whole life searching


Through Mexico, all the riversides
In all of Mexico, alongside all the rivers


Not for the money, but for the gold
It was not about looking for money but rather gold


He needs to hold
He needed to possess it


Well Buddy Joe was proud as he was
Buddy Joe was already proud; he did not need to show off his wealth even more


Could not stand all the fuss
He couldn’t tolerate all the attention


When they got to all his gold
When people discovered he had so much gold


He was ready to go
He was willing to leave and escape their focus


Well you'll understand he didn't stand a chance
You'll realize he didn’t have any possibility at all.


Everybody was shouting commands
Everyone was giving orders


When Buddy Joe split in a hurry
When Buddy Joe left abruptly


He was ready to be buried
He was fearless because he might have to face death


Oh Buddy Joe
Hey, Buddy Joe


What have they done with the gold
How did it go with your gold?


I don't really know
I don’t have the exact details




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY HAY, GEORGE KOOYMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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