[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
Me And Bobby McGee
Henson Cargill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waitin' for the train
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down
Just before it rained
Rode us all the way to New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna
And was playing soft
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
I was holdin' Bobby's hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord,
When he sang the blues
And feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From Kentucky coal mines
To the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Through all kinds of weather, Lord
Through everything I done
Bobby baby kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let him slip away
Lookin' for the home I hope he'll find it
And I'd trade all of my tomorrows
For one single yesterday
Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' left is all that Bobby left me
Feelin good was easy, Lord
When he sang the blues
And buddy, that was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
The lyrics of "Me And Bobby McGee" by Henson Cargill depict a journey of two companions, the singer and Bobby McGee, as they navigate through life's highs and lows. The opening lines portray a sense of desperation and uncertainty, with the singer feeling worn out and stranded in Baton Rouge, waiting on a train. Bobby, a fellow traveler, comes to their aid by hitching a ride on a passing diesel truck headed to New Orleans. This sets the stage for a journey filled with spontaneity and shared experiences.
During the ride, the atmosphere transforms as the duo immerse themselves in music and camaraderie. The imagery of playing the harpoon and singing along with the driver captures a moment of pure freedom and connection. The line "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose" suggests that in their transient existence, they find a sense of liberation in letting go of material possessions and embracing the present moment. The simplicity of their shared joy encapsulates the essence of true freedom, where the absence of burdens allows for a deeper sense of fulfillment.
As the narrative progresses, Bobby becomes more than just a fellow traveler but a confidant who shares in the singer's joys and struggles. The verses detailing their journey from Kentucky coal mines to the California sun symbolize the ups and downs of life that they weathered together. Bobby's presence provided solace and warmth amidst life's challenges, acting as a beacon of comfort in tumultuous times. However, the poignant moment of Bobby slipping away near Salinas hints at the inevitability of change and separation, leaving the singer grappling with the loss and longing for a return to the past.
The bittersweet nostalgia and yearning for the past are palpable in the closing lines, where the singer expresses a willingness to trade all tomorrows for just one yesterday spent with Bobby. The sentiment of "Feelin' good was easy when he sang the blues" encapsulates the profound impact Bobby had on the singer's life, serving as a source of joy and companionship that remains treasured. The refrain "Good enough for me and Bobby McGee" echoes the enduring bond and memories shared between the two, encapsulating a tale of companionship, love, loss, and the enduring power of shared experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Busted flat in Baton Rouge
Struggling and broke in Baton Rouge
Waitin' for the train
Waiting for transportation
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Feeling worn out and tired
Bobby thumbed a diesel down
Bobby hitchhiked a truck
Just before it rained
Right before the rain started
Rode us all the way to New Orleans
Took us to New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna
Took out my guitar from my bandanna
And was playing soft
Played gently
While Bobby sang the blues
Bobby sang sad songs
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
Windshield wipers keeping rhythm
I was holdin' Bobby's hand in mine
Holding Bobby's hand
We sang every song that driver knew
Sang along to all the songs
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Having no attachments is freedom
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Things without value are free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord,
Feeling happy was simple
When he sang the blues
When Bobby sang sad songs
And feelin' good was good enough for me
Being content with feeling good
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Sufficient for both of us
From Kentucky coal mines
Traveling from coal mines in Kentucky
To the California sun
To the sunny California
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Bobby knew my deepest secrets
Through all kinds of weather, Lord
Despite any circumstances
Through everything I done
Through all my experiences
Bobby baby kept me from the cold
Bobby protected me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
In a location close to Salinas
I let him slip away
I allowed him to leave
Lookin' for the home I hope he'll find it
Searching for a place for him to settle
And I'd trade all of my tomorrows
I would give up all my future
For one single yesterday
For just one past day
Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine
Embracing Bobby
Nothin' left is all that Bobby left me
Bobby left me with nothing
Feeling good was easy, Lord
Being happy was effortless
And buddy, that was good enough for me
And that was sufficient for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Adequate for both of us, including Bobby McGee
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred L. Foster, Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Taylor
on So Many Ways of Saying She's Gone
first time ive heard all these songs-wonderful