Smoking Section
Jelly Roll Lyrics


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I was talkin' to a guy that I respect dearly the other day
And he told me not to get so distracted fighting the alligators
That I forget to clean the swamp
And it took me a second to think about what he was really sayin'
But he was sayin'
"Don't let my problems distract me so much dealin' with them, I forget my mission"

Hey baby brother, how ya doin'
The streets still holdin'
The last time I seen ya, you ain't seem so focused
Can't believe I ain't noticed, I can't believe I missed it
Life been crazy man, fast life livin'
While Struggle's sittin' in prison, I'm sittin' and trippin'
And I'm sittin' here wishin' that you were sittin' here with me

But you're not, I'm all alone
Tryin' to write this song
Sippin' on some bourbon and blowin' a little strong
This is therapeutic music so I'm takin' my time
Figured while I had a second, I would drop you a line
Me and Will are doing well man, don't worry 'bout us
I bet yo ass up there chillin' probably rollin' it up

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section

Hey Momma V, it's been a minute since I mentioned your name
And every hardship is a blessing and this is the same
It's been 16 years, it doesn't lessen the pain
'Cause your death was a first hand lesson on age

I'm just riding through my own neighborhood reminiscing
The life that I was livin', man was I trippin'
I grew up around sinners all after tryin' to win
People livin' to die, but they was dyin' to live
Think about you every now and then I ride by the crib
Call it the crib, but my mother hasn't lived there in years
Meanwhile, my cousin came home from doing a bid
Gave the man an iPhone and he didn't know what it is

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section

We ain't smoked in a while, I'm sorry the change did it
That and the fact you got strung out on painkillers
The money and fame did it, you tried and you can't quit it
To think it's a shame that your name's in the same sentence
As a junkie, a flunkie, your back is the monkey
You used to have it all, the hoes and the money
Had a dream that you killed yo'self
Woke up reachin' for my phone like you needed my help

But I'm so focused on myself and my daughter doing well
You're a grown man, I have to hope you're going through a spell
But I'm prayin' for you, and I know that you're feelin' the pain
But you're an addict, you won't change 'til you're ready to change
And I hope you think about your family and get it right
And just know that I'ma pray for you before I sleep tonight
And me and money talk, I'd like to share this thought
While you fightin' alligators, don't forget to clean the swamp

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone




I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jelly Roll's song "Smoking Section" delve into the rapper's personal struggles and relationships with family and friends while simultaneously providing commentary on the dangers of addiction and the importance of staying focused on one's goals. The song opens with Jelly Roll recounting a conversation with someone he respects who advised him not to become so consumed with fighting problems and distractions that he loses sight of his ultimate purpose. The artist then address his younger brother, acknowledging that he has been preoccupied with his own problems and hasn't been there for him in the way he should have been. Jelly Roll also alludes to the difficulties of fame and the negative impact it can have on one's life and relationships, telling the story of a friend who became addicted to painkillers because of the pressures and temptations of success. The chorus, "I hope that Heaven has a smoking section," acts as an extended metaphor for the spaces and moments in life where people can come together to unwind and escape the difficulties of day-to-day life.


Line by Line Meaning

I was talkin' to a guy that I respect dearly the other day
I spoke to someone I have a lot of respect for recently


And he told me not to get so distracted fighting the alligators
He advised me not to become too sidetracked dealing with my problems


That I forget to clean the swamp
And not to forget my main objectives in the process


And it took me a second to think about what he was really sayin'
It took me a moment to fully understand what he meant


But he was sayin'
Basically, what he was trying to say was...


Don't let my problems distract me so much dealin' with them, I forget my mission
Not to allow my difficulties to consume me to the point that I forget my ultimate goal


Hey baby brother, how ya doin'
Addressing his younger brother affectionately


The streets still holdin'
Asking how things are on the street


The last time I seen ya, you ain't seem so focused
Stating last time I saw you was not too positive


Can't believe I ain't noticed, I can't believe I missed it
Regretting that he hasn't paid more attention to his brother's well-being


Life been crazy man, fast life livin'
Acknowledging how chaotic life can be


While Struggle's sittin' in prison, I'm sittin' and trippin'
Reflecting on his friend Struggle's imprisonment and his own worries


And I'm sittin' here wishin' that you were sittin' here with me
Wishing his brother was with him


But you're not, I'm all alone
Realizing that he is alone


Tryin' to write this song
Attempting to write music


Sippin' on some bourbon and blowin' a little strong
Drinking bourbon and smoking marijuana


This is therapeutic music so I'm takin' my time
Taking time to create a healing piece of music


Figured while I had a second, I would drop you a line
Deciding to write to his brother while he has some time


Me and Will are doing well man, don't worry 'bout us
Updating his brother on his own situation and asking him not to worry


I bet yo ass up there chillin' probably rollin' it up
Joking that his deceased mother is likely relaxing and smoking


Hey Momma V, it's been a minute since I mentioned your name
Addressing his late mother after a long time


And every hardship is a blessing and this is the same
Believing that every difficulty is a blessing in disguise


It's been 16 years, it doesn't lessen the pain
Reflecting on the fact that despite significant time passing, his mother's death still affects him greatly


'Cause your death was a first hand lesson on age
Seeing his mother's death as a firsthand reminder of mortality


I'm just riding through my own neighborhood reminiscing
Driving through his hometown and remembering the past


The life that I was livin', man was I trippin'
Reflecting on what his life was like before


I grew up around sinners all after tryin' to win
Being surrounded by people who were trying to come out on top


People livin' to die, but they was dyin' to live
Living recklessly in a harsh environment


Think about you every now and then I ride by the crib
Thinking of his late mother when he drives past their former home


Call it the crib, but my mother hasn't lived there in years
Referring to the house as 'the crib', but acknowledging that it has been uninhabited for some time


Meanwhile, my cousin came home from doing a bid
Noticing that his cousin has returned from prison


Gave the man an iPhone and he didn't know what it is
Observing how much the world has changed while his cousin was incarcerated


We ain't smoked in a while, I'm sorry the change did it
Apologizing for the fact that they haven't smoked together recently


That and the fact you got strung out on painkillers
Acknowledging his brother's addiction to painkillers


The money and fame did it, you tried and you can't quit it
Suggesting that his brother's addiction may have come about due to their newfound wealth and status


To think it's a shame that your name's in the same sentence
Feeling ashamed that his brother's name has become associated with addiction


As a junkie, a flunkie, your back is the monkey
Describing how addiction has become a burden for his brother


You used to have it all, the hoes and the money
Recalling how his brother used to have everything he wanted, including material possessions and romantic attention


Had a dream that you killed yo'self
Having a nightmare about his brother's struggle with addiction


Woke up reachin' for my phone like you needed my help
Feeling a strong urge to help his brother upon waking up


But I'm so focused on myself and my daughter doing well
Refocusing on his own life and goals


You're a grown man, I have to hope you're going through a spell
Recognizing that his brother is an adult and hoping that this is just a phase he can overcome


But I'm prayin' for you, and I know that you're feelin' the pain
Praying for his brother and acknowledging his suffering


But you're an addict, you won't change 'til you're ready to change
Recognizing that addiction is a difficult cycle to break


And I hope you think about your family and get it right
Encouraging his brother to think about their family and make the right choices


And just know that I'ma pray for you before I sleep tonight
Promising to pray for his brother's well-being


And me and money talk, I'd like to share this thought
Continuing with a separate thought that he would like to share


While you fightin' alligators, don't forget to clean the swamp
Advising his brother to focus on his main objectives while dealing with his problems


I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Expressing his hope that there is a place to smoke in the afterlife


I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Repeating his hope for a smoking section in Heaven


When it's said and done and we're all gone
Referring to the inevitable end of life


I hope they got a place that we can blow
Expressing his desire for a place to smoke


I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Repeating his earlier sentiment




Contributed by Ian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@danahadley436

Tomorrow will be 1yr that my son passed away. Heroin and fentynal is such a horrible addiction 😢
Seeing your child in the hospital fighting for his life is heart-renching
He had allot of alligators he was fighting.

U took a picture with my youngest son yesterday while he was working at Walmart
❤❤❤
U absolutely made his day
Ur music has really helped me this year
I am too cleaning out my swamp
U are an inspiration ❤



All comments from YouTube:

@JellyRoll

Thank YALL So Much for Sharing this --- and for sharing my vision and my take on music --- your changing my life - I pray in some way in return I can touch yours

@davidhunnel9400

+Jelly Roll your Music i can put on and vibe to no one is bring it like you your music got heart like you said this rap shite is easy all you got do is tell the truth

@lanceisbell7229

You have touched our life just by your music.. Keep it up man..

@paigeesmalley9500

amazing

@itsjonesonthabeat

+Jelly Roll Love your music Jelly and you never disappoint or let down, keep it up I love having a musician who I can relate to

@vDaddyBane

Anytime brother man your music has helped me through a lot as a kid I've seen and been through a lot and your music makes it all worth it and makes me stronger

504 More Replies...

@siicema1082

7 years later, I'm STILL tearing up. This song means so much. YOU changed MY life, Jelly!

@ZNP420

Amen! 🙏🏼

@SoilToSoul

❤🙏🏻

@gamesvibronicbrush8228

idk if you are a user but if you are this song will help i hope you dont use or stuff like that but this song is great seen his concert two days ago he said this in the song but i do belive theres one lol

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