Back in Oklahoma
Jerry Burnham Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't need a man to show me the way
Back to Oklahoma
I just need a fast freight and one night and one day
To be back in Oklahoma
Be it dusty or muddy or windy or warm
Back in Oklahoma
When the noon sun gets too hot
We'll find us a cool spot
Back in Oklahoma

There's rattlers and tattlers and born-again tractors
Back in Oklahoma
There's chicken hawks and cakewalks and bohunks and podunks
Back in Oklahoma
Well the truckstops here, I'm glad to be near
My home in Oklahoma
So tonight I'll pray, tomorrow's the day
I'll be waking up back in Oklahoma

I'd used to pray for the day I could move away
Far from Oklahoma
I wanted the bright lights, got tired of jump-starting truckers wives
Back in Oklahoma
But the path to lights dimmed, I started missing them
Back in Oklahoma
So I pointed my Pontiac toward that little country shack
Back in Oklahoma

Wildcatters drill dry wells deeper than Satan's hell
Back in Oklahoma
Where honky-tonk pickers got to brown-bag their liquors
Back in Oklahoma
At Saturday night fish fry that jug will send me sky high
Back in Oklahoma
When Sunday morning comes around
You'll find my head bowed down
Back in Oklahoma

The twister can lift me the sun can blister
My back in Oklahoma
I'm diggin' onions and 'taters fried and fatback and 'maters
Back in Oklahoma
They got moon pies and Nehis and women with beehives
Back in Oklahoma
Though I don't need the champagne
Keep your watch and gold chain
I'm retiring back in Oklahoma

Overall Meaning

"Back in Oklahoma" by Jerry Burnham speaks of a strong connection to the singer's home state and the sentiments associated with returning there. The opening lines express a sense of independence and self-reliance, with the singer asserting that they do not need someone to lead them back to Oklahoma, rather, they simply require a fast freight and a day to reach their destination. The mention of various weather conditions, from dusty to muddy to windy, underscores the familiarity and comfort of the Oklahoma landscape.


The lyrics also touch on the unique characteristics and culture of Oklahoma, referencing rattlesnakes, gossipers (tattlers), born-again Christians, and agricultural elements like tractors. The imagery of finding a cool spot to escape the noon sun hints at a simple and serene lifestyle in the state. The singer expresses a sense of nostalgia and longing for Oklahoma, where truck stops feel like home and there is a sense of belonging that draws them back.


The song delves into personal reflections on the singer's past aspirations to leave Oklahoma for a more glamorous life, craving the excitement of bright lights and city living. However, the allure of the urban lifestyle fades, and a yearning for the simplicity and authenticity of Oklahoma reignites. The mention of a Pontiac pointed towards a country shack signifies a return to roots and a realization of the value of one's origins.


The closing verses paint a vivid picture of life in Oklahoma, from the challenges of dry wells and the resilience of wildcatters to the communal joy of fish fries and the music scene in honky-tonks. References to local delicacies like fried potatoes and moon pies evoke a sense of culinary and cultural richness in Oklahoma. The lyrics suggest a contentment and acceptance of a humble life in the state, rejecting materialistic desires in favor of a heartfelt retirement in the familiar surroundings of Oklahoma.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't need a man to show me the way
I am independent and do not require assistance


Back to Oklahoma
Returning to my roots in Oklahoma


I just need a fast freight and one night and one day
A simple mode of transportation and time to get back


To be back in Oklahoma
To return to the familiarity of Oklahoma


Be it dusty or muddy or windy or warm
Regardless of the weather conditions


Back in Oklahoma
In my homeland of Oklahoma


When the noon sun gets too hot
Finding a shade during the hot afternoon


We'll find us a cool spot
Locating a place to cool down


Back in Oklahoma
Returning to the comfort of Oklahoma


There's rattlers and tattlers and born-again tractors
Encountering different characters and things in Oklahoma


Back in Oklahoma
Back in my home state


There's chicken hawks and cakewalks and bohunks and podunks
Describing various aspects of life in Oklahoma


Well the truckstops here, I'm glad to be near
Appreciating the familiar surroundings in Oklahoma


My home in Oklahoma
Acknowledging Oklahoma as my true home


So tonight I'll pray, tomorrow's the day
Expressing hope to return to Oklahoma soon


I'll be waking up back in Oklahoma
Anticipating waking up in Oklahoma


I'd used to pray for the day I could move away
Yearning to leave Oklahoma in the past


Far from Oklahoma
A long way from my roots in Oklahoma


I wanted the bright lights, got tired of jump-starting truckers wives
Desiring the urban life but growing tired of it


But the path to lights dimmed, I started missing them
Appreciating city lights but longing for Oklahoma


So I pointed my Pontiac toward that little country shack
Choosing to return to a simpler life in Oklahoma


Wildcatters drill dry wells deeper than Satan's hell
Description of the oil industry in Oklahoma


Where honky-tonk pickers got to brown-bag their liquors
Depicting the culture of entertainment in Oklahoma


At Saturday night fish fry that jug will send me sky high
Enjoying the social gatherings in Oklahoma


When Sunday morning comes around
Preparing for the day of rest


You'll find my head bowed down
Respecting religious traditions


The twister can lift me the sun can blister
Acknowledging the natural hazards in Oklahoma


My back in Oklahoma
Returning to my home state


I'm diggin' onions and 'taters fried and fatback and 'maters
Engaging in the agricultural lifestyle of Oklahoma


They got moon pies and Nehis and women with beehives
Describing the unique culture and cuisine in Oklahoma


Though I don't need the champagne
Preferring the simple pleasures over luxury


Keep your watch and gold chain
Rejecting material possessions for a simpler life


I'm retiring back in Oklahoma
Choosing to settle down and spend my days in Oklahoma




Lyrics © MADISON LEISURE CORP.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found