Police Dog Blues
Hugh Laurie Lyrics

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All my life I've been a traveling man
All my life I've been a traveling man
Staying alone and doing the best I can
I hauled my trunk down to Tennessee
I hauled my trunk down to Tennessee
It's hard to tell about a man like me

I met a gal I couldn't get her off my mind
I met a gal I couldn't get her off my mind
She passed me up saying she didn't like my kind
I was scared to bother 'round her house at night
I was scared to bother 'round her house at night
She's got a police dog and he's spoiling for a fight

His name is Rambler and when he gets the chance
His name is Rambler and when he gets the chance
He leaves his mark on everybody's pants
Yes, I think I'll travel, I think I'll let her be
I think I'll travel, I think I'll let her be
Before she sicks that police dog on me
Before she sicks that doggone dog on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hugh Laurie's song Police Dog Blues tell a story of a lifetime of traveling and living alone. It highlights the hardships of being a traveling individual and not finding a place to call home or companionship. The singer traveled to Tennessee where he met a woman who he couldn't get off his mind, but she rejected him because she didn't like his kind. He was scared to approach her house, in fear of her police dog named Rambler, who would leave his mark on everybody's pants if he got the chance. Ultimately, he decides to leave and continue traveling before the woman sicks her dog on him.

The song is a representation of the struggles faced by people who are always on the move and never find a place to call home. It portrays the difficulties of forming and maintaining relationships when constantly on the move, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. The lyrics also symbolize the fear of rejection and the harsh reality of being judged based on one's appearances and background.

Line by Line Meaning

All my life I've been a traveling man
Throughout my entire lifetime, I have been constantly on the move from place to place.

Staying alone and doing the best I can
During my travels, I have been by myself and trying my utmost to make the most of my experiences.

I hauled my trunk down to Tennessee
I transported my baggage to the state of Tennessee.

It's hard to tell about a man like me
It is difficult to make assumptions about a person such as myself.

I met a gal I couldn't get her off my mind
I encountered a woman who I became enamored with and couldn't stop thinking about.

She passed me up saying she didn't like my kind
However, she rejected me by saying she didn't approve of people like me.

I was scared to bother 'round her house at night
I was fearful of approaching her residence in the evening hours.

She's got a police dog and he's spoiling for a fight
This woman owns a canine specifically trained for law enforcement purposes, and it is eager for a hostile altercation.

His name is Rambler and when he gets the chance
This dog is named Rambler and is always awaiting an opportunity to unleash havoc.

He leaves his mark on everybody's pants
Rambler has a tendency to mark his territory on people's clothing.

Yes, I think I'll travel, I think I'll let her be
Out of caution and concern for my well-being, I believe it is best to continue my travels and avoid this woman.

Before she sicks that police dog on me
I must take action before this woman commands her aggressive and dangerous dog to attack me.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gary Michael Lucas

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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