Honky Tonk Blues
Hank Williams Jr. & Hank Williams Sr. Lyrics
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I told my paw I'm going steppin' out
And get the honky-tonk blues
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
Well, lord, I got 'em
I got the ho-on-ky tonk blues
Well, I went to a dance and I wore out my shoes
Them jumpin' honky-tonk blues
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
Good lord, I got 'em
I got the ho-on-ky tonk blues
Well, I stopped into every place in town
This city life has really got me down
I got the honky-tonk blues
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
Well, lord I got 'em
I got the ho-on-ky tonk blues
I'm gonna tuck my worries underneath my arm
And scat right back to my pappy's farm
And leave these honky-tonk blues
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
Good lord, I got 'em
I got the ho-on-ky tonk blues
The lyrics of Hank Williams's Honky Tonk Blues reflect the singer's longing for a simpler life back home in the rural area. It begins with him leaving his home, telling his father he wants to experience some nightlife and ends with him deciding to return to his roots, tuck his worries under his arm and head back ‘home’. This is indicative of how the fast-paced city life can sometimes take its toll on an individual's psyche.
The verses in the song describe Williams's experiences, particularly at the honky-tonk bar where he wears out his shoes dancing to the point where he wakes up with a severe case of the honky-tonk blues. He bemoans the city life, which he finds exhausting and decides to leave it all behind and return to the countryside. The repetition of the phrase "the honky-tonk blues" and the raw emotion in Williams's delivery give the song a bleak, introspective vibe, which explains his longing for a simpler rural life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I left my home down on the rural route
I departed from my rural hometown
I told my paw I'm going steppin' out
I informed my father that I'm going out
And get the honky-tonk blues
To experience the feeling of being in a honky-tonk bar
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
the feeling of being in a honky-tonk bar
Well, lord, I got 'em
I am currently experiencing the honky-tonk blues
I got the ho-on-ky tonk blues
I am suffering from the honky-tonk blues
Well, I went to a dance and I wore out my shoes
At a dance, I danced so much that my shoes were completely worn out
Woke up this mornin' wishin' I could lose
The next morning I woke up and wished I could shake off
Them jumpin' honky-tonk blues
The intense feeling of being in a honky-tonk bar
Good lord, I got 'em
I am still experiencing the honky-tonk blues
I got the ho-on-ky tonk blues
I am still suffering from the honky-tonk blues
Well, I stopped into every place in town
I visited every establishment in the city
This city life has really got me down
Living in the city is getting me down
I got the honky-tonk blues
I am feeling the honky-tonk blues
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
The intense feeling of being in a honky-tonk bar
Well, lord I got 'em
I am still experiencing the honky-tonk blues
I'm gonna tuck my worries underneath my arm
I will put away my concerns
And scat right back to my pappy's farm
I will return to my father's farm
And leave these honky-tonk blues
I will escape the feeling of being in a honky-tonk bar
Yeah, the honky-tonk blues
The intense feeling of being in a honky-tonk bar
Good lord, I got 'em
I am still experiencing the honky-tonk blues
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
In the April 26th, 1952 issue of Billboard Magazine, Hank Williams' "Honky Tonk Blues"* peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on it's 'Most-Played Country and Western Records On Juke Boxes' chart, and for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Let Old Mother Have Her Way" by Carl Smith...
Between 1947 and 1989 the Mount Olive, Alabama native had forty three records on the Billboard's Country charts, thirty eight made the Top 10 with eleven reaching #1...
One of his forty three charted records was a duet with his son Hank Jr., "There's A Tear In My Beer", it peaked at #7 in 1989...
Hank Williams, born Hiram Williams, passed away at the young age of 29 on January 1st, 1953..
May he R.I.P.
*"Honky Tonk Blues" was Hank Williams' fourth of six of his records to peak at #2 on the Billboard C&W charts, the other five were "Wedding Bells" {1949} "My Bucket's Got A Hole In In" {1949}, "I Can't Help It" {1952}, "Half As Much" {1952}, and "Settin' The Woods On Fire" {1952}...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Most-Played On Juke Boxes' Top 10 on April 26th, 1952:
At #3. "Gold Rush Is Over" by Hank Snow
#4. "Wild Side of Life" by Hank Thompson
#5. "Don't Stay Away" by Lefty Frizzell
#6. "Don't Just Stand There" by Carl Smith
#7. "Silver and Gold" by Pee Wee King
#8. "Wondering" by Webb Pierce
#9. "Slow Poke" by Pee Wee King
#10. "Bundle of Southern Sunshine" by Eddy Arnold
Aramonde Hasashi
Having all three sing on the same song and sound perfectly synced is awesome.
MsBeaver2011
What a privilege to hear these 3 men sing together!
Brady Barrows
When ever Hank 3 starts singing I still think it’s Hank Sr.
Gary Moon
You ant kidding he also looks just like the its like looking at a ghost
Donnie Dahlia
Wouldn't have been amazing if all 3 could've actually performed together
Eric Bolding
The Unforgotten
Gary Kerns
Did the 3 of them by any chance do "There's a Tear in my Beer"?
Jake The Cars and reactor videos
Gary Kerns no but hank jr and Sr did tear in my beer but not iii
Gary Kerns
OK, thanks. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if someday it does happen.
Tyler Cox
Jake Cars Reviews when was the tear in my beer music video shot