Formed in New York in August 1969 after the breakup of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rainbows was active for just one month, a run which resulted in only four live appearances, most notably at the Woodstock Festival where they made their debut.
Hey Joe
Jimi Hendrix / Gypsy Sun And Rainbows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Huh! and that ain't cool
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mamma down
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Yeah!
Yes, I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
And I gave her the gun
And I shot her
Alright
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Yeah!
Oh dig it
Oh alright
Hey Joe,
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, I said
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
I'm goin' way down south
Way down to mexico way
Alright
I'm goin' way down South
Way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
Goodbye everybody
Hey, hey Joe...
Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe" is a song about a man who shoots his wife, and then escapes to Mexico. The song begins with a question: "Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand?" This question is suggestive of a conflict that is about to escalate to the point of violence. The man replies that he is "goin' down to shoot my old lady," because he has caught her "messin' 'round with another man." The man seems to feel justified in his actions because he believes that his wife has been unfaithful, but the singer of the song is aware that shooting someone is not an appropriate response.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly alarmed by the man's actions. When she hears that the man has shot his mother, she asks him where he will go when the law catches up with him. The man replies that he will go to Mexico, where he will be free. However, the singer warns him that the hangman will eventually catch up with him, unless he can find a way to escape his guilt and shame.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Hey Joe, where are you headed with that gun you're holding?
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Hey Joe, I am asking you again where are you taking that gun with you
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
I am going to shoot my wife
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
I found out that she was being unfaithful to me with someone else
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Yes, I am planning to kill my wife
Huh! and that ain't cool
That is not acceptable or right
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mamma down
Hey Joe, I heard that you killed your mother
You shot her down now
You have shot her and she is dead now
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Hey Joe, I heard that you killed your wife
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
You shot her and buried her in the ground
Yes, I did, I shot her
Yes, I did kill my wife
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
I found out that my wife was cheating on me with someone else in the town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Yes, I killed her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
I found out that my wife was having an affair with someone in the town
And I gave her the gun
And I handed her the weapon
And I shot her
And I killed her with that gun
Alright
Okay
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Shoot her one more time, baby!
Yeah!
Yes!
Oh dig it
Oh, I see
Oh alright
Okay
Hey Joe, Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, where are you going to hide or run away now?
Hey Joe, I said Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
I am asking you again, Joe, where are you going to escape now?
I'm goin' way down south
I am going to the southern part of the country
Way down to mexico way
I am traveling way down to Mexico
I'm goin' way down South
I am traveling to the deep south
Way down where I can be free
I am going way down south to where I can be free without anyone stopping me
Ain't no one gonna find me
No one will be able to locate or find me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
No hang-man is going to
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
They are not going to capture me or hang me
You better believe it right now
You better believe it is true right at this moment
I gotta go now
I need to go now
Hey, Joe
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
You better hurry up and escape now
Goodbye everybody
Farewell, everyone
Hey, hey Joe...
Hey, hey Joe...
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT PETWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IamJumaSultan
To the loving people around the world and respect truth. This version of SUNDANCE was a rehursal with Jimi , Ali 'K Abuwi on drums and I was playing Bass . The song SUNDANCE came from the Aboriginal Music Society Song Book.
@switchtheflip4077
are you William Parker?
@PokemonGlitches123
Siler Head He's Juma, if you watch the woodstock videos hes the black guy playing the congas. Checked out his channel, its legit :)
@kellykuciemba6789
Wow Juma Sultan, walked with a God, as close to Hendrix as were gonna get peoples.
@greggggg
Wow! It seems incredible to be able to talk with you Juma! Can you describe this jam session at Shokan house? Was it recorded at day or night? "Sundance" and "The Dance" are beautiful jams, peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. You must have spent a great time at Shokan house in the summer of 1969!
@MelonheadTheMan
No ways :O the one and only.
Maaan please elaborate a little on this lovely jam
@nugsymalone1247
I listen to this often, in many states of mind. Today I was hand washing dishes with no shirt on, window open, sunny day, over 90 degrees outside, sober. Had this on and found myself closing my eyes often and just grooving to the tune while I scrubbed. These personal moments with music that no one sees are what makes life so great. So personal. Jimi made my life so much better in such a beautiful way. When I can go on to walk outside and hear the birds, pet my chickens and cats...Eat from my garden for crying out loud, what more do we need?
@mariohernandezmartinez9328
Estás hecho
@dayycam
Never been more real!
@jfaltis
I have been searching YouTube for rare Hendrix jams, outtakes, alternate versions, etc for a very long time and it seems like the quest never ends. I've heard this one before but I still love it for its unique qualities. I'm pretty sure Hendrix played close to 24 hours a day for the 4 year period where he was famous. Endless recordings exist and always I find more... thanks Jimi.