I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics


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Well, you're lookin' at a guy that's gettin' kinda mad
I had lot of luck but it's all been bad
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

My fishin' pole's broke, the creek is full of sand
My woman run away with another man
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

A distant uncle passed away, he left me quite a batch
Yes I was livin' high until that fatal day
A lawyer proved I wasn't born
I was only hatched

Everything's agin' me and it's got me down
If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all
Are full of holes and nails
Yes and brother if I stepped on a worn out dime
I bet a nickel I could tell you if it's heads or tails

If it was rainin' gold I wouldn't stand a chance
I wouldn't have a pocket in my patched up pants
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

A distant uncle passed away, he left me quite a batch
And yes I was livin' high until that fatal day
A lawyer proved I wasn't born
I was only hatched





I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
'Cause nothing's ever gonna turn out alright now
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
I'll never get out of this world alive

Overall Meaning

The song "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" by Jimmie Dale Gilmore is a bleak commentary on the impossibility of achieving success or happiness in life. It tells the story of a man who has faced nothing but misfortune and disappointment - his luck has been all bad, and everything seems to be working against him. His fishing pole is broken, his woman has run away with another man, and even his family inheritance has been taken away after a lawyer proved he wasn't born, but hatched.


The lyrics are filled with vivid and colorful imagery that conveys the despair and hopelessness that the singer feels. The shoes he's wearing are full of holes and nails, and he can tell if a dime is heads or tails just by stepping on it. The song highlights the struggle of life and how, no matter how hard you try, there are some things that you just can't control.


The repeated line "I'll never get out of this world alive" is a powerful statement that emphasizes the inevitability of death and the futility of striving for something you cannot attain. The song serves as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of life and how, in the end, it all comes to naught.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, you're lookin' at a guy that's gettin' kinda mad
I'm angry and frustrated about my luck and situation.


I had lot of luck but it's all been bad
Despite having some luck in the past, it never led to anything positive.


No matter how I struggle and strive
Regardless of how much effort I put in, success seems unattainable.


I'll never get out of this world alive
I'll never be able to escape my problems and struggles until my death.


My fishin' pole's broke, the creek is full of sand
Even my simple pleasures, like fishing, are being hindered.


My woman run away with another man
The person I loved has left me for someone else.


A distant uncle passed away, he left me quite a batch
An inheritance from a distant relative seemed like a stroke of good luck for a while.


Yes I was livin' high until that fatal day
Before the truth was revealed, I was enjoying the benefits of the inheritance.


A lawyer proved I wasn't born, I was only hatched
The inheritance was taken away after it was proven that I wasn't actually related to the deceased.


Everything's agin' me and it's got me down
All of my circumstances are working against me and making me feel depressed.


If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
Even escape from my troubles isn't feasible, as it would likely result in my death.


These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all are full of holes and nails
Even my possessions are worn out and falling apart.


Yes and brother if I stepped on a worn out dime, I bet a nickel I could tell you if it's heads or tails
My life is so unlucky that I could correctly guess the outcome of a coin flip based on how the coin looks before it lands.


If it was rainin' gold I wouldn't stand a chance
Even if luck was suddenly in my favor, I doubt it would do me any good.


I wouldn't have a pocket in my patched up pants
My pockets are threadbare and wouldn't be able to hold any gold or valuables.


I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
I've given up on trying to look and feel good, and I accept the troubles and hardships that life presents.


'Cause nothing's ever gonna turn out alright now
I've lost hope that things will eventually get better.


I'll never get out of this world alive
The only way I'll escape my struggles is through death.




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