Hangover Tavern
Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys Lyrics
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I feel so bad this mornin'
But I won't be feelin' bad too long
I'm headed for Hangover Tavern
My head is heavy
My spirit's kinda low
And every time I feel this wayTo Hangover Tavern, I go
Well, the spot I'm talkin' about
The shades are pulled down to keep the sunshine out
The beer is cold in a frosty cup
The good bartender cheers you up
Sayin', hey, Lordy me
If you feel bad this mornin'
Then watch your blues just fade away
At Hangover Tavern today
Oh, Lordy me
When I woke up this mornin'
I just had to make my way
On down to Hangover Tavern
My throat is dry
There's red around my eyes
But I'll have lots of company
At Hangover Tavern for me
On Saturday night, we stay out late
The very next day, we congregate
I just can't wait for the very first round
Tell the man to turn the jukebox down
'Cause hey, Lordy me
I feel so bad this mornin'
But I'll drink my blues away
At Hangover Tavern today
Hangover Tavern, here I come
"Hangover Tavern" is a song by Hank Thompson about drinking away the blues and feeling better. The song is about a place that is a haven for those who have had too much to drink, and who need to find a place to rest and recuperate. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, with lines like "My head is heavy" and "My spirit's kinda low," and the refrain of "Oh, Lordy me" anchoring the plaintive melody.
The tavern is described as having its shades pulled down to keep the sunshine out, with beer served in a frosty cup by a friendly bartender who cheers you up. The lyrics convey a sense of comfort and familiarity, as if the singer has been here many times before and knows exactly what to expect. The repetition of the phrase "Hangover Tavern" underscores the song's central theme, of a place where those who are feeling down can come to lift their spirits and get back on their feet.
In sum, the song speaks to the universal experience of needing a place to go after a long night of drinking, and the sense of belonging that comes from finding a familiar spot where you can find solace and companionship.
* "Hangover Tavern" was released in 1966 on Hank Thompson's album "At the Golden Nugget"
* The song was written by Chuck Howard and Vernon Claud
* Hank Thompson was known as the "King of Western Swing"
* "Hangover Tavern" was the B-side to Hank Thompson's hit single "If You Don't Like Hank Williams"
* The song was covered by Eric Heatherly in 2000
* The song was included in the 1982 film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"
* The song's lyrics were parodied by country singer Buddy Starcher in his song "Hangover Tavern No. 2"
* The song has been covered by several other artists, including Junior Brown and Asleep at the Wheel
* The Hank Thompson version of the song features steel guitar and fiddle
* The title "Hangover Tavern" has been used by several real-life bars and taverns, including one in Chicago
Chords (in the key of D):
Verse:
D - D - D - D
G - G - D - D
A - A - D - D
Chorus:
G - G - D - D
G - G - A - A
D - D - D - D
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Lordy me
Expressing exasperation or disgust at something
I feel so bad this mornin'
Experiencing physical or emotional discomfort in the morning
But I won't be feelin' bad too long
Believing that a visit to Hangover Tavern will cure the bad feelings
I'm headed for Hangover Tavern
Going to the bar named Hangover Tavern
My head is heavy
Feeling the weight of the head, probably due to drinking too much alcohol
My spirit's kinda low
Feeling sad or demotivated
And every time I feel this way
Referring to the recurring feeling of physical and emotional discomfort
To Hangover Tavern, I go
Visiting the bar named Hangover Tavern to ease the discomfort
Well, the spot I'm talkin' about
Referring to the bar named Hangover Tavern
The shades are pulled down to keep the sunshine out
The shades are down to create a dark ambiance inside the bar
The beer is cold in a frosty cup
Drinking cold beer served in a frosty glass
The good bartender cheers you up
The bartender is good at lifting up the spirits of the customers
Sayin', hey, Lordy me
Expressing surprise or amusement at something
If you feel bad this mornin'
Addressing the customers who come to the bar feeling bad in the morning
Then watch your blues just fade away
Implying that drinking at Hangover Tavern will make the bad feelings disappear
At Hangover Tavern today
Referring to the present day at Hangover Tavern
When I woke up this mornin'
Referring to the morning after excessive drinking
I just had to make my way
Expressing the urge to go to Hangover Tavern
On down to Hangover Tavern
Referring to the bar named Hangover Tavern
My throat is dry
Experiencing dryness in the throat, probably due to excessive drinking
There's red around my eyes
Having redness around the eyes, probably due to lack of sleep or excessive drinking
But I'll have lots of company
Feeling relieved to be among many other people who are experiencing similar discomforts
At Hangover Tavern for me
Referring to the benefits of going to Hangover Tavern
On Saturday night, we stay out late
Referring to the night before the morning of discomfort
The very next day, we congregate
Gathering together to ease the discomforts of the morning
I just can't wait for the very first round
Eager to start drinking again to ease the discomforts of the morning
Tell the man to turn the jukebox down
Requesting the bartender to turn down the volume of the jukebox
'Cause hey, Lordy me
Expressing surprise or amusement at something
I feel so bad this mornin'
Referring to the morning after excessive drinking
But I'll drink my blues away
Believing that drinking at Hangover Tavern will make the bad feelings disappear
At Hangover Tavern today
Referring to the present day at Hangover Tavern
Hangover Tavern, here I come
Expressing the excitement to visit Hangover Tavern
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Lowe, Mary Lowe, Hank Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marryannlamb9853
Thanks Bill. Great song. New to me .
@WickerBillVintageCountryMusic
You're welcome Maryann, glad you heard it here...have a nice weekend
@ruthboykin9873
Great one! Love Hank Thompson's voice; thank you D.! Have a good night.
@WickerBillVintageCountryMusic
I remember the days of waking up with the cotton mouth, swollen head and having to go in to work. Gimme eggs & grits with some strong black coffee and go tuff it out.
@maryatwall2462
Nice one from Hank Thompson another great voice in country music nice to here him thanks Bill 😊 👍
@WickerBillVintageCountryMusic
You're welcome Mary. It's a great song and the title reminds me of that morning after and feeling real close to death.
@jennysauvola3497
Hank Thompson,another one of the greatest singers ever,love everything that he sings, thanks darl
@WickerBillVintageCountryMusic
One of the best carousing songs ever. A pot of black coffee would be what I sought...first.
@rebeccad5988
Thanks Bill ☺️
@Grahamgusbull
It’s a bit early in the morning…but I can’t wait to pop my first top!