Drunkard's Blues
Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys Lyrics

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Walking slow to the graveyard I've lost everything I could lose
Now I've even lost my baby I guess I've got the drunkard's blues
It was down at Big Joe's barroom on the corner beyond the square
Everybody drinkin' good liquor the regular crowd was there
So I strolled out on the sidewalk began to look around
Looking everywhere for my baby but that sweet woman can't be found
It was down at St James infirmary I found my baby there
Stretched out on a long white table so cold so pale so fair

So I strolled back down to the barroom to get another drink of gin
The next thing you know I'm reeling rocking and drunk again
Sixteen coal black horses all hitched up in a line
In that pretty buggy she's ridin' goodbye ol' gal of mine

Walking slow to the graveyard I've lost everything I could lose
Now I've even lost my baby I guess I've got the drunker's blues

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of "Drunkard's Blues" by Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys, the singer paints a bleak picture of their life as they come to terms with the consequences of their actions. The opening lines set the tone for the song, as the singer reflects on losing everything they held dear, culminating in the loss of their significant other, symbolizing the depths of despair and hopelessness that come with alcoholism, often referred to as the "drunkard's blues."

The scene shifts to a bar called Big Joe's where the singer finds themselves surrounded by a familiar crowd indulging in alcohol. The search for their missing partner leads them to a haunting discovery at St James infirmary, where they find their beloved lying lifeless on a table. The imagery of the loved one's cold and pale form conveys the finality and tragedy of their passing, leaving the singer devastated and seeking solace in the numbing effects of alcohol.

The cycle of self-destructive behavior continues as the singer retreats back to the barroom for another drink, using alcohol as a coping mechanism to numb the pain and drown their sorrows. The descent into intoxication is rapid, as the singer describes feeling disoriented and unsteady, highlighting the destructive pattern of seeking temporary relief in alcohol only to spiral further into despair.

The final lines of the song evoke a somber image of a funeral procession, with sixteen horses pulling a buggy carrying the singer's departed loved one. The singer's slow walk to the graveyard symbolizes their acceptance of the losses they have suffered due to their alcoholism, acknowledging that the ultimate price paid for their addiction includes not just material possessions but also the loss of love and companionship. The repetition of the phrase "I guess I've got the drunkard's blues" serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle with alcoholism and its devastating consequences on one's life and relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Walking slow to the graveyard I've lost everything I could lose
Taking a somber and lingering walk to the place of final rest, I find myself stripped of all that once mattered to me.

Now I've even lost my baby I guess I've got the drunkard's blues
With my dear partner now gone, I am left with a profound sense of sorrow and regret, which I can only assuage through alcohol.

It was down at Big Joe's barroom on the corner beyond the square
My story unfolds in a familiar tavern known as Big Joe's, located at the intersection just past the town's main area.

Everybody drinkin' good liquor the regular crowd was there
The atmosphere was thick with patrons indulging in quality drinks, as the same faces, part of the regular gathering, filled the space.

So I strolled out on the sidewalk began to look around
Feeling restless, I stepped outside to survey the surroundings, searching for any sign of her presence.

Looking everywhere for my baby but that sweet woman can't be found
I vainly searched in all directions for my beloved, yet she remains elusive, unattainable in my moment of despair.

It was down at St James infirmary I found my baby there
Eventually, I discovered her lifeless form at St. James Infirmary, where I least expected to encounter such tragedy.

Stretched out on a long white table so cold so pale so fair
She lay motionless on a stark, white surface, her once vibrant spirit now replaced by an unsettling stillness and an unearthly beauty.

So I strolled back down to the barroom to get another drink of gin
Unable to bear the weight of my heartache, I made my way back to the bar, seeking solace in another glass of gin.

The next thing you know I'm reeling rocking and drunk again
Before long, the effects of the alcohol took hold, causing me to sway and stumble, lost in a haze of intoxication once more.

Sixteen coal black horses all hitched up in a line
There were a team of dark horses, solemnly arranged in a row, symbolizing the heaviness of my grief.

In that pretty buggy she's ridin' goodbye ol' gal of mine
As she departs for the final journey in an elegant carriage, I bid farewell to my dear woman, permanently lost to me.

Walking slow to the graveyard I've lost everything I could lose
Again, I find myself trudging towards the gravesite, haunted by the reality that I have truly lost all that mattered in my life.

Now I've even lost my baby I guess I've got the drunkard's blues
The final sting of loss hits painfully as I acknowledge the emptiness left by my sweetheart, plunging me deeper into a state of melancholy, characterized by the troubles of a heavy drinker.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HANK THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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