Kweskin released six albums and two greatest hits compilations on Vanguard Records between 1963-1970; Jim Kweskin's America on Reprise Records in 1971; and four albums on Mountain Railroad Records between 1978-87.
Okie from Muskogee
Jim Kweskin Lyrics
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We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We don't take no trips on LSD
We don't burn no draft cards down on Main Street
We like livin' right, and bein' free.
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
We don't make a party out of lovin'
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen
Football's still the roughest thing on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean.
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory, down at the courthouse
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.
The song "Okie from Muskogee" by Jim Kweskin is an ode to small-town America and conservative values that were being challenged by the counterculture of the late 1960s. The lyrics begin by stating what the town of Muskogee does not condone, such as smoking marijuana, taking LSD, or burning draft cards. These lines reflect the growing hippie movement in San Francisco and the anti-Vietnam War protests that were happening across the country. The refrain, "We like livin' right, and bein' free," reinforces the idea that the people of Muskogee do not need drugs to feel liberated.
The next part of the song emphasizes the positive aspects of small-town life. The singer is proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, where even the "squares" can have fun. They proudly wave the American flag and prefer traditional forms of entertainment, like drinking moonshine instead of using drugs. The final verse compares the fashion of the counterculture with that of Muskogee. The people of Muskogee are depicted as preferring practical, sturdy clothing like leather boots, and have a respect for authority figures like the college dean.
The song "Okie from Muskogee" became a hit at a time when the country was divided over issues like war, race, and generational differences. Many people saw it as a celebration of traditional American values and a rejection of what they saw as the excesses and immorality of the counterculture. However, it was also criticized for being simplistic and promoting a narrow-minded view of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We refrain from using marijuana in Muskogee
We don't take no trips on LSD
We do not indulge in LSD trips
We don't burn no draft cards down on Main Street
We do not burn draft cards in public
We like livin' right, and bein' free.
We enjoy living a righteous and free life
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
I am proud to represent Muskogee as an Okie
A place where even squares can have a ball
A place where people with traditional values can have fun
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
We still honor and respect the American flag at the courthouse
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
Drinking homemade moonshine is still the most exciting thing for us
We don't make a party out of lovin'
We do not turn intimacy into a wild party
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo
We enjoy the simple act of holding hands and courting
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
We do not embrace the long and unkempt hippie look
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.
Unlike the hippies in San Francisco, we have a different outlook on life
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
Leather boots are still fashionable for masculine attire
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen
We do not adorn ourselves with beads and sandals like the hippies
Football's still the roughest thing on campus
Football is still the most aggressive sport on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean.
The students still uphold the authority of the college dean
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.
This is where these values are held and celebrated
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.