Cold Cold Ground
Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics

Oh the clock here in the barroom says it's half past nine.
The singer is in a bar, where he often drinks wine. He notices the time on the clock, which only serves as a reminder of how long it takes him to drink his first bottle of wine.

That's usually how long it takes me to drink my first bottle of wine.
The singer has a drinking problem, as it only takes him half an hour to finish a bottle of wine.

Yes every fifteen minutes, I can drink another bottle down
The singer drinks frequently and excessively, as he is able to consume another bottle of wine every 15 minutes.

And get fifteen minutes closer to that cold,cold ground, to that cold cold ground.
The artist acknowledges that his excessive drinking will inevitably lead him to a premature death, or the 'cold, cold ground.'

Well I think I'll play the jukebox and light up another cigarette
The artist turns to vices like smoking and music to distract from his problems, including his addiction to alcohol.

They say for every puff of that loving smoke you get another minute closer to death.
The singer is aware of the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes, but continues to do so, despite their detrimental effects on his health.

Well I smoke two or three packs a day and my arithmetic is not to sound.
The singer smokes heavily, and even though he does not know the exact number of cigarettes he smokes, he realizes that it is contributing to his demise.

But I know I'm getting hours closer to that cold,cold ground.
The artist is aware that his unhealthy habits are inching him closer to death by the day.

To that cold, cold ground.
The artist reiterates his fear of death and the grave.

Now this morning I had me a woman and a love so nice and fine.
The artist reflects on a female companion he had earlier and the happiness she brought him.

But this evening I watched her board that train and move on down the line.
The woman has departed, leaving the singer alone and forlorn.

Our love was so good but now she's gone and this is what I've found.
The artist has lost his lover, causing him pain and grief.

Her leaving sure brought me closer to that cold, cold ground.
The singer's emotional distress may lead him to engage in more drinking and smoking, ultimately bringing him closer to death.

To that cold, cold ground.
The singer repeats his fears of death and the grave.

Well I'm standing in the back alley with a pistol in my hand.
The singer is potentially contemplating suicide, as evidenced by the gun in his hand.

I never thought a woman's love could do this to a man.
The artist is heartbroken and possibly blaming the loss of his lover for his current situation.

I hear that hammer clickin',what a sweet, terrible sound.
The artist hears the sound of the hammer on the gun clicking, which is both frightening and calming to him, as it would put him out of his misery.

Let my tombstone read 'no liquor, no smoke, no drugs,
The singer realizes now that his addictions are what has brought him to this point, and he wants his tombstone to reflect that he became conscious of this before his death.

But a woman's love put me in that cold, cold ground.
Ultimately, the singer realizes that his issues with addiction and depression were not the fault of the woman who left him, but instead his own demons that he could not overcome.

Put me in that cold, cold ground.
Again, the artist repeats his fears of death and the grave.