[edit] Career
Henson's career started in his home state of Oklahoma, performing at clubs around Oklahoma City and Tulsa. His family was active in politics and raised buffalo on a ranch outside Oklahoma City. In the mid 1960s, Henson moved to Nashville and became a member of the vocal group The Kimberlys. After leaving the group, Henson started on his solo career, and in 1967, he signed with Monument Records, and he immediately scored in a big way with a song called "Skip a Rope". The song became a huge hit, spending six weeks at Number 1 on the country charts in 1968 and also making the Top 25 on the Pop charts.
[edit] After Skip a Rope and Later Career
After "Skip a Rope", Cargill continued to have Top 20 hits with such songs as "Row Row Row" (1968), "None Of My Business" (his only other Top 10) (1969), and "The Most Uncomplicated Goodbye I Ever Heard" (1970). Later, he had a television show, Country Hayride, and performed for many years in Reno and Las Vegas. Johnny Cash was godfather to his oldest son, Cash.
After leaving Monument Records, Henson moved to Mega Records in 1971, where he scored several minor hits. In 1973, he made a strong comeback to the charts when he signed with Atlantic Records and scored 2 Top 30 hits in 1974 with "Some Old California Memory" and a version of Mac Davis' "Stop And Smell The Roses". In 1980, he formed his own record label Copper Mountain Records and he scored his last Top 30 hit that year with "Silence On The Line". In the late 1980s he retired to Oklahoma City and died on March 24, 2007
Greenback Dollar
Henson Cargill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm just a natural born travelin' man I'm doin' what I think I should poor boy
I'm doin' what I think I should
Hey I don't give a damn about a greenback dollar spend it as fast as I can
For a wailin' song and a good guitar's the only thing that I understand poor boy
The only thing that I understand
When I was a little babe my mama she said son
Sing what must be sung
Hey I don't give a damn
Now that I'm a grown man I've traveled everywhere
I've learned that a bottle of brandy and a song the only ones who ever cared poor boy
The only ones who ever cared
Hey I don't give a damn
Hey I don't give a damn
The lyrics of Henson Cargill's Greenback Dollar are about a man who doesn't care about material possessions, specifically the dollar bill. He is seen as a wanderer, a traveling man who doesn't fit into the conventional structures of society. He is often criticized by people for not being productive or contributing to the society. However, the singer believes that he is doing what he thinks he should be doing as a natural-born traveling man. He understands that the only things he cares about are good music and a good guitar, which make him feel alive and happy. The singer goes back in time to recall how his mother encouraged him to travel and sing his heart out.
The song's message is about the freedom that comes with being unchained to material possessions, and how music can bring joy and happiness. It celebrates the nomadic lifestyle and the decision to follow one's passions, even though they may not fit into the traditional roles of society. The lyrics' repetition of "Hey, I don't give a damn" emphasizes the singer's rebellious and carefree attitude towards society's norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people say I'm a no count others say I'm no good
Despite what others may say about me, I am a natural-born traveler and I am doing what I believe is right for me.
But I'm just a natural born travelin' man I'm doin' what I think I should poor boy
I was born with the desire to explore and travel, and I am doing what I believe is best for my life.
I'm doin' what I think I should
Hey I don't give a damn about a greenback dollar spend it as fast as I can
I am not concerned with accumulating wealth, as I value the experience of playing music and singing above everything else.
For a wailin' song and a good guitar's the only thing that I understand poor boy
The only thing that I understand
The only things that truly matter to me are singing heartfelt music and playing a good guitar - these experiences bring me true joy.
When I was a little babe my mama she said son
Travel where you will and grow to be a man wind sing what must be sung poor boy
My mother instilled in me the importance of travel and finding one's own path, and to always speak the truth and sing from the heart.
Hey I don't give a damn
I am resolute in my conviction and am not preoccupied with what other people may think of me.
Now that I'm a grown man I've traveled everywhere
I've learned that a bottle of brandy and a song the only ones who ever cared poor boy
Through my travels, I have come to realize that the simple and honest pleasures of a good bottle of brandy and a heartfelt song are the only things that truly care for me.
The only ones who ever cared
Hey I don't give a damn
I hold no regard for material possessions or social status - what brings me true happiness is the ability to make music and sing until my heart's content.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY GREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Taylor
on So Many Ways of Saying She's Gone
first time ive heard all these songs-wonderful