Keep The Change
Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll keep my freedom
I'll keep my guns
Try to keep my money
And my religion too
Try to keep on workin'
Try to keep on smilin'
I will keep my Christian name
And y'all can keep the change

I'll keep my heroes
Pictures on the wall
I'll keep my family safe
You bluff when I call
I'm gonna keep my big V8
Keep my friends the same
Keep the government outta my business
And y'all can keep the change

This country's sure as hell been goin' down the drain
We know what we need
We know who to blame
United Socialist States of America
How do you like that name?
I'll keep the USA and y'all can keep the change

So FOX and friends
Wanna put me down
Ask for my opinion
Then twist it all around
Supposed to be talkin' about my father's new CD
Well two can play that "Gotcha Game" just wait and see
Don't tread on me

This country's sure as hell been goin' down the drain
We know what we need
We know who to blame
United Socialist States of America
Don't ya just love that name?
I'll keep the USA and y'all can keep the change

I'll keep the USA and y'all can keep the change

Yeah, you can keep FOX and friends and ESPN outta your homes too




'Cause Bocephus and all his rowdy friends and his song is outta there!
Yes sir!

Overall Meaning

Hank Williams Jr.'s song "Keep The Change" asserts the singer's commitment to his values and beliefs. The lyrics start with him declaring that he will keep his freedom, guns, money, religion, and keep on working and smiling. He affirms that he will keep his Christian name and his pictures of heroes and family while keeping his friends and his big V8 car. The singer wants to keep the government out of his business and life. Through this song, Hank Williams Jr. is voicing his disquiet and mistrust of both the government and sections of the media.


He accuses the USA of becoming a 'United Socialist States' and blames the government and the media for the deterioration of the country. He challenges Fox News and tries to assert his individuality when they quizzed him on his father's CD. He proclaims his support for the USA and criticizes the current state of affairs in the country. The singer concludes the song with his signature phrase, "Don't tread on me," which conveys his message of not being dictated to by the government or the media.


Overall, "Keep The Change" is a defiant song that expresses a passion for personal freedom and individualism. It is a call-to-action to his audiences to resist the manipulations of authority figures and media outlets. The song also touches on the broad theme of patriotism and national identity, urging people to remain steadfast in their love for their country amidst turbulent times.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll keep my freedom
I will hold on to my personal independence.


I'll keep my guns
I will keep my firearms.


Try to keep my money
I will endeavor to keep my wealth and my possessions.


And my religion too
I will keep the belief system that is important to me.


Try to keep on workin'
I will put in the effort needed to make a living.


Try to keep on smilin'
I will remain optimistic and happy even during difficult times.


I will keep my Christian name
I will hold onto my identity as a Christian.


And y'all can keep the change
You can keep the things that you want to change about me.


I'll keep my heroes
I will hold onto the people I admire.


Pictures on the wall
I will keep the memories of those I care about.


I'll keep my family safe
I will protect and look after my loved ones.


You bluff when I call
You make false statements when I confront you.


I'm gonna keep my big V8
I will keep my powerful car.


Keep my friends the same
I will keep my circle of friends as it is.


Keep the government outta my business
I will not let the government interfere in my personal affairs.


And y'all can keep the change
You can keep the changes that you want to make to my life.


This country's sure as hell been goin' down the drain
The United States has been deteriorating rapidly.


We know what we need
We know what we require to improve our current situation.


We know who to blame
We know who is responsible for our current problems.


United Socialist States of America
The imaginary socialist version of America that is feared.


How do you like that name?
Do you like the term that I have coined to instill fear?


I'll keep the USA and y'all can keep the change
I will keep my country as it is and you can keep your proposed changes.


So FOX and friends
The television show that has been mocking and criticizing me.


Wanna put me down
They want to demean me and make me feel small.


Ask for my opinion
They solicit my thoughts on a topic.


Then twist it all around
They manipulate my words and ideas to suit their agenda.


Supposed to be talkin' about my father's new CD
The conversation was supposed to be about my father's new music album.


Well two can play that "Gotcha Game" just wait and see
I can also play dirty and answer in a way that will embarrass them. Just watch.


Don't tread on me
Do not try to oppress or limit me.


Don't ya just love that name?
Don't you think the term I coined is creative and striking?


I'll keep the USA and y'all can keep the change
I will keep my country as it is and you can keep the changes you want to make to it.


Yeah, you can keep FOX and friends and ESPN outta your homes too
You should not watch and let yourself be manipulated by these TV channels.


'Cause Bocephus and all his rowdy friends and his song is outta there!
I am leaving the show as well as my music and friends.


Yes sir!
I am done with this situation and cannot be further manipulated.




Lyrics © BOCEPHUS MUSIC INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

James Vanasse

10 years later…… This song applies now more than ever.

Michael Ploug

Amen too that from Sweden!!!

Eric Young

Totally my thoughts too. He should do a remake just sub in the new names and words for the current mess

Townsfolk Music Official

This song is more relevant than ever

Mark Robertson

Hell yes it is

The Crankiest Yankee

The Chicoms and Communists can keep the change...and their face mask COVID Fascism.

Michael Newton

Of course we can count on Hank to tell it like it is....It don't matter if you are southern or not,  I think all of us "real Americans" love this song because it reflects how all of us feel. Put Hank up there with General Maccrystal. Any body who openly opposes Obama gets the axe. Sing it Hank!!!!!

Miller's Retro Drive-in

Yes sir

5burkholz

God Bless you Hank, voice of the REAL 99%!!!

Hoss

Hank tells it like it is!! Amen

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