In 2003 Vestine was ranked 77th in Rolling Stone magazine list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
on the road again
Henry Vestine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can't carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else
The lyrics of "On The Road Again" by Henry Vestine depict a theme of resilience and determination, despite the challenges and hardships faced. The first verse expresses the exhaustion and weariness of crying, yet the singer is already on the road yet again. The repetition of the phrase "I'm on the road again" emphasizes the restlessness and desire to keep moving, despite any emotional or physical pain. The lack of a significant other or companion magnifies this sentiment of loneliness and constant movement.
The second verse mentions the first time the singer traveled, and the harsh conditions of rain and snow. The lack of financial security and a place to call home adds to the notion of transient movement. The mention of a mother that left the singer when they were young, and her pleas for mercy on her "wicked son," adds to the complex emotions portrayed in the song.
The final verse offers a hint of hope, urging the mother not to cry and promising a bright future. However, the line "But I ain't going down that long old lonesome road all by myself, I can't carry you, baby, gonna carry somebody else," implies that the singer may have to leave behind certain individuals or aspects of their past, in order to continue on their journey.
Overall, the lyrics of "On The Road Again" depict the struggles and sacrifices of a solitary traveler, while emphasizing the strength and resilience necessary to persist on this journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm so tired of crying
I am tired of feeling sad and crying all the time
But I'm out on the road again
Despite my sadness, I am heading out to travel again
I'm on the road again
I am embarking upon another journey
I ain't got no woman
I do not have a significant other
Just to call my special friend
I have no one to confide in personally
You know the first time I traveled
Let me tell you about the first time I went on a journey
Out in the rain and snow
I traveled during a storm in harsh weather conditions
In the rain and snow
It was wet and cold during my first journey
I didn't have no payroll
I had no money or employment during my first trip
Not even no place to go
I had nowhere specific to go during that trip
And my dear mother left me
My mother passed away when I was young
When I was quite young
I was still a child when my mother died
She said "Lord, have mercy
Before she died, my mother prayed for my well-being
On my wicked son"
She hoped that I would be okay despite her absence
Take a hint from me, mama
I am sharing some advice with my deceased mother
Please don't you cry no more
I do not want my mother to continue grieving for me
Don't you cry no more
I repeatedly urge my mother not to cry for me
'Cause it's soon one morning
I will be leaving soon, likely in the morning
Down the road I'm going
I am headed down the road on my travels
But I ain't going down
I will not be going down the road of life alone
That long old lonesome road
The road can be lonely and difficult
All by myself
I am alone without someone to accompany me
I can't carry you, baby
I cannot bring you with me, my love
Gonna carry somebody else
I will find someone else to travel with and love
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH L. HICKSON, NATHAN B. MORRIS, RICKIE KENNETH FAMBRO, WANYA JERMAINE MORRIS, SHAWN PATRICK STOCKMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hwearrow
Vestine was a superb guitar heroe , One of the best rock guitarist ever.
NitrousNinja
I love Henry Vestine's guitar playing too! He really knew how to boogie.
Daniel German
It was an honor to see Henry play with Canned Heat at the Shepherd Bush Empire in London in October 1997. That was a place I also saw Kansas, The Mavericks, Steve Winwood and Toto. He was still rockin' with his guitar, but he looked so feeble, sitting down during many songs and walking very slowly both onto and away from the stage. Two weeks later, he was found dead in a Paris hotel. But I will never forget the solo he laid down on On The Road Again.
fenderjag114
What a great version of this tune. Any details on the performance?
fenderjag114
Thank you!
Giannis Pachidis
https://www.discogs.com/Henry-Vestine-The-Heat-Bros-I-Used-To-Be-Mad-But-Now-Im-Half-Crazy/release/1687576
Jiruko Guerrero
Henry Vestine gran guitarrista. RIP
BigMickeNo1
4 years later...pandemic,The US gone mad, still a great song though.
BigMickeNo1
Bättre än såhär blir det inte.
Stefy _
and`great`song`...