Champion
Jesse Daniel Lyrics
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He had circles under his eyes and he stood at 6 feet tall
He rode an old bicycle that he'd stole from off the rack
The kind of man that when he takes from you, you don't ask for it back
His hands were big as baseball gloves and fists were solid rock
He was born out in Modesto from pure old Okie stock
And he moved here with his mama, but she left him long ago
It's best to fear him, cause he only has his name
They call him Champion, cause he never lost a game
Out in that old cold town he's the toughest of them all
Never knew a man to challenge him that didn't take a fall
He had a leather wallet that he'd had since he was 9
His mother said it was his Dad's, but he knew that was a lie
Cause Mama had so many men after he went away
It was likely one of theirs but Champion kept it anyway
Inside it was a photograph full of holes and marks
Of him and his Mama on the swing set at the park
And on the back it read you're Mom and Daddy's pride and joy
On lonely nights he'll pull it out and wish he was a boy
It's best to fear him, cause he only has his name
They call him Champion, cause he never lost a game
Out in that old cold town he's the toughest of them all
Never knew a man to challenge him that didn't take a fall
Two AM on August first a birthday all alone
The lights they shone like candles on the window by the phone
And at the door the Sheriff's there with a warrant to arrest
The man that they call Champion and put his case to rest
So come out with your hands up and you'll leave this place alive
Champion weren't afraid to kill a man and he weren't afraid to die
And he'd leave this word a violent way, just like his father did
But you can't really blame him, oh, that poor old Okie kid
It's best to fear him, cause he only has his name
They called him Champion, cause he never lost a game
Out in that old cold town he's the toughest of them all
Never knew a man to challenge him that didn't take a fall
Jesse Daniel's song "Champion" is a character study of a man named Champion. The song describes Champion as a tough and intimidating man, with a physical build that looks like a wall. He may have stolen an old bicycle, but one would be unwise to ask for it back. He's a man of few words, with a simmering anger bubbling just below the surface. Born to a single mother who left him when he was young, Champion is left to fend for himself in a cold, tough town. He carries a leather wallet with a photograph of himself and his mother, which he holds close when he's feeling alone.
Despite his rough exterior and propensity for violence, there is a tragic backstory to Champion's life. He is the son of an absentee father and a mother who struggled to make ends meet. As a result, he has grown up to be a hardened and desperate man who feels that he has little to lose. When the song comes to its climax, the sheriff is at his door, coming to arrest him. Champion refuses to be taken alive, knowing that he will die violently, just like his father did. It's a bleak ending to a song that paints a picture of a tragic figure.
Overall, "Champion" is a ballad about a man who never had much in life besides his name and his fists. Despite his tough exterior, there's a sense of sadness and loss that flows through the song. It's the story of a man whose anger and violence were the only tools he had to carve out a place for himself in a world that had given him so little.
Line by Line Meaning
He was lean and full of quiet rage and built just like a wall
He was physically strong and appeared intimidating due to his sheer size, with an underlying anger bubbling beneath the surface.
He had circles under his eyes and he stood at 6 feet tall
Despite his imposing stature, there were signs of exhaustion and weariness on his face.
He rode an old bicycle that he'd stole from off the rack
He resorted to stealing to get around, even if it meant getting an old and worn-out bike.
The kind of man that when he takes from you, you don't ask for it back
His reputation as someone not to be messed with preceded him, and people didn't dare confront him regarding what he'd taken from them.
His hands were big as baseball gloves and fists were solid rock
His hands were massive and his fists were hard, providing a glimpse into his immense physical strength.
He was born out in Modesto from pure old Okie stock
His family tree traced back to those who migrated from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression.
And he moved here with his mama, but she left him long ago
He came to this town with his mother, but she abandoned him at some point in the past.
And he looks just like his Daddy who he never got to know
He bore a striking resemblance to his father, but he never had the chance to meet him.
It's best to fear him, cause he only has his name
He demanded respect due to his fearsome reputation, and he didn't need anything else to maintain it besides his name.
They call him Champion, cause he never lost a game
He was given the name 'Champion' due to his winning streak in presumably physical altercations.
Out in that old cold town he's the toughest of them all
He was regarded as the toughest and most formidable person in that town.
Never knew a man to challenge him that didn't take a fall
Nobody dared to stand up to him or fight him without suffering the consequences.
He had a leather wallet that he'd had since he was 9
He treasured a wallet made of leather that he had kept since he was a child.
His mother said it was his Dad's, but he knew that was a lie
His mother claimed that the wallet was his father's, but he didn't believe her.
Cause Mama had so many men after he went away
The reason for his suspicion regarding the origins of his wallet is that his mother had many male suitors after his father left.
It was likely one of theirs but Champion kept it anyway
Despite the dubious origins of the wallet, Champion held on to it as a precious reminder of his past.
Inside it was a photograph full of holes and marks
The wallet contained a photograph of him and his mother, but its condition was tattered and damaged.
Of him and his Mama on the swing set at the park
The picture was of him and his mother enjoying a moment of happiness on a swing set at a park, likely taken when he was a child.
And on the back it read you're Mom and Daddy's pride and joy
The back of the photo contained a message indicating that he was cherished and loved by both of his parents, despite his father's absence.
On lonely nights he'll pull it out and wish he was a boy
He turned to the photograph for comfort during his moments of loneliness and wished for a simpler time when he was a child.
Two AM on August first a birthday all alone
During the early morning hours of August 1, he was by himself, marking his birthday in solitude.
The lights they shone like candles on the window by the phone
The only source of light was from the candle-like reflection of the streetlights on the window by the phone.
And at the door the Sheriff's there with a warrant to arrest
The Sheriff arrived with a warrant to arrest Champion for an unknown reason.
The man that they call Champion and put his case to rest
The authorities sought to put an end to whatever Champion had been involved in with his arrest.
So come out with your hands up and you'll leave this place alive
To ensure his safety, the Sheriff instructed Champion to surrender without resistance.
Champion weren't afraid to kill a man and he weren't afraid to die
Champion was not one to shy away from using lethal force or to die trying to fight back.
And he'd leave this word a violent way, just like his father did
Like his father before him, Champion may have to face a violent end to his life.
But you can't really blame him, oh, that poor old Okie kid
Despite his questionable actions and rough exterior, it's hard not to feel some empathy for Champion as someone who grew up poor in California during the Great Depression.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jesse Daniel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicholasdonaldson2223
That accordion is exactly where it needs to be. Amazing.
@christa526
Dwight and Flaco tribute
@jimmyboe25
yo for reals he looks hispanic and that is as American as it gets right there!
@sir.beefswaggerton9103
We need more accordion in country music
@galaxyanimal
Well, Tex-Mex music uses a mix of instruments used in Mexican and Texas/Western music, but it is only kind of country music.
@thealaskanforever
The Heavy Horses is a great outlaw country band that uses accordion in a dark manner
@fiddleandsteel9566
Jesse is solid country gold! Iβve been loving the new album, and βChampionβ is one of the greatest tracks from it! π€ ππ»ππΌππΌππΌ
@Bluesnipible
This entire album is super tight. Not a song on it I didn't like. Truely one of the best albums of the last forty years period.
@adamw2586
GemsOnVHS is the GOAT. Period. End. Of. Story.
@nicksanchez5637
SUPER SOLID!!! I kid you not, i have not been this pumped about an artist since i first heard Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan for the first time in 2012. Jesse is the Real Deal.