Jason Boland & The Stragglers are a band from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Stillw… Read Full Bio ↴Jason Boland & The Stragglers are a band from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Stillwater is a college town that is known for being the center of the red dirt music scene. It's where bands like Cross Canadian Ragweed became popular. JB&S started out around 1998. their sound leans more toward country than the rock & roll of Cross Canadian Ragweed. The newest release from JB&S is called "Comal County Blue" and is one of the fastest rising releases on the charts -- it was number one on itunes right after its release. It is one of the most popular independent releases of 2008. Jason Boland was born in Harrah, Oklahoma. The song on "Comal County Blue, "Sons and Daughters of Dixie", talks about Hurricane Katrina and the flooding in Mississippi and how the government in D.C. failed the people. The song "Bottle By My Bed" is about Jason's love and hate relationship with alcohol. "Comal County Blue" features a guest appearance by Robert Earl Keen and a song cowritten with Cody Canada from Cross Canadian Ragweed. Other release by JB&S include "Pearl Snaps", "The Truckstop Diaries", "The Bourbon Legend" and "Live at Billy Bob's". Lloyd Maines produced "Comal County Blue". Lloyd is the father of Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks.

No One Left to Blame
Jason Boland & The Stragglers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Smoke and a guitar for my friends
I had to go and try again
Two good hands and a restless soul
Im down to seeds and stems to roll
If i could start time turning backwards
I guess id do it all the same
And its a sad sad story
When theres no one left to blame

Chorus
When theres know one left to blame
For the things I put you through
And Im left with all the pieces
Of what I did and did not do
Thats why im all alone this evening
I can hear the midnight train
And its a sad sad story
When theres no one left to blame

Alone I left you on the border
Counting footprints in the sand
Now my life seems out of order
But my rings still on my hand
Ive tried all that I can think of
It wouldnt help me ease the pain
And its a sad sad story
When theres no one left to blame

Repeat Chorus

And when im all alone this evening
I slowly start to go insane
Lord its a sad sad story
Of a man with no one left to blame

Yes its a sad sad story
When theres no one left to blame

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "No One Left to Blame" by Jason Boland & The Stragglers tell the story of a person who has faced some personal struggles and has made choices that have negatively affected their relationships. The verses start with the singer reflecting on their past, mentioning a "smoke and a guitar for my friends," symbolizing companionship and shared experiences. However, they had to leave that behind to pursue something else, possibly a new opportunity or adventure.

The line "Two good hands and a restless soul" suggests that the singer is capable and driven, but their constant need for change has left them feeling empty. They mention being "down to seeds and stems to roll," which can be interpreted as having nothing left of substance, possibly referring to their deteriorating mental state or material possessions. They may have indulged in vices or relied on temporary solutions to cope with their problems.

The chorus reflects the regret and loneliness the singer feels. They acknowledge that they are responsible for the pain they caused their loved ones, as stated in the line "For the things I put you through." They are left alone, surrounded by the shattered pieces of their actions or missed opportunities. The mention of the "midnight train" suggests a sense of longing and escape, as they hear it pass by while feeling helpless and remorseful.

The second verse reveals that the singer left their loved one behind, symbolized by leaving them "on the border" and counting "footprints in the sand." This suggests that they left their partner or loved ones waiting, uncertain and feeling abandoned. The singer admits that their life feels out of order, indicating the consequences of their choices catching up to them. Despite this, they still wear their wedding ring, suggesting that they have not completely given up hope or let go of their commitment.

In the third verse, the singer expresses their desperation and attempts to find a solution to their pain, but nothing seems to work. They've exhausted all options and find no relief, hence the line "I've tried all that I can think of, it wouldn't help me ease the pain." The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the continued sadness and the feeling of having no one to blame but themselves.

The song ends with the singer acknowledging their descent into madness and accepting that they are the only one responsible for their circumstances. The repeated lines "Lord it's a sad sad story, of a man with no one left to blame" encapsulate the overall theme of personal accountability and the emotional weight of the singer's choices.

Line by Line Meaning

Smoke and a guitar for my friends
I shared my vices and my music with my friends

I had to go and try again
I made mistakes and had to start over

Two good hands and a restless soul
I have the capabilities but can't find inner peace

Im down to seeds and stems to roll
I've reached a low point and only have leftovers to make do

If i could start time turning backwards
If I had the power to rewind time

I guess id do it all the same
I would still make the same choices despite the consequences

And its a sad sad story
The situation is tragic

When theres no one left to blame
When I can no longer shift responsibility to others

For the things I put you through
For the hardships and pain I caused you

And Im left with all the pieces
I'm left to deal with the aftermath

Of what I did and did not do
Of both my actions and inactions