Gilmore also played "Smokey" in The Big Lebowski
I'm Movin' On
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics
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Means your true-lovin' daddy ain't comin' back
'Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
You were flyin' too high, for my little old sky
So I'm movin' on
That big loud whistle, as it blew and blew
Said hello to the southland, We're comin' to you
You had the laugh on me, so I set you free
And I'm movin' on
Mister fireman, won't you please listen to me
'Cause I got a pretty mama in Tennessee
Keep movin' me on, keep rollin' on
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll
And keep movin' me on
Mister Engineer, take that throttle in hand
This rattler's the fastest in the southern land
To keep movin' me on, keep rollin' on
You gonna ease my mind, put me there on time
And keep rollin' on
I've told you baby from time to time
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
Now I'm movin' on, I'm rollin' on
You've broken your vow, and it's all over now
So I'm movin' on
You've switched your engine, now I ain't got time
For a triflin' woman on my main line
'Cause I'm movin' on, you done your daddy wrong
I warned you twice, now you can settle the price
'Cause I'm movin' on
But someday baby, when you've had your play
You're gonna want your daddy, but your daddy will say
Keep movin' on, you stayed away too long
I'm through with you, too bad you're blue
Keep movin' on
The song "I'm Movin' On" by Jimmie Dale Gilmore is a classic musical representation of the traditional blues motif of leaving and moving on. The lyrics describe a man's decision to leave his woman and move on with his life. The opening lines of the song make it very clear that the man in question is a truck driver, and he is aware that the sound of his truck's engine represents a departure of some sort. He tells his woman that he is leaving her because she was trying to rise too high, too fast. The repetitive phrase "So I'm movin' on" indicates that the man is determined to start anew.
The man also tells the fireman and the engineer who run the train that he wants to keep moving on to Tennessee, leaving his heartbreak behind. He is adamant about not wanting to be with this "triflin'" woman anymore, and he warns her that she will regret her choices when he is gone. The lyrics are poignant and heart-wrenching, but they are also filled with the spirit of survival and starting anew. The repetition of the phrase "Keep movin' me on" only emphasizes Gilmore's determination to create a new life for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
That big eighteen-wheeler, rollin' down the track
Your true-love daddy isn't coming back, represented by the big truck leaving.
'Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
I am moving on with my life, leaving you behind.
You were flyin' too high, for my little old sky
You were too ambitious for me and I couldn't keep up.
That big loud whistle, as it blew and blew
The whistle signals my departure, representing a new stage of life.
Said hello to the southland, We're comin' to you
Announcing my departure and saying hello to new opportunities.
And we're movin' on, oh, hear my song
I am moving on with my life and leaving the past behind.
You had the laugh on me, so I set you free
You made fun of me and didn't take me seriously, so I decided to move on and leave you behind.
Mister fireman, won't you please listen to me
Asking for the help of the train crew to move on to a new destination.
'Cause I got a pretty mama in Tennessee
I have someone waiting for me in Tennessee and I need to get there.
Keep movin' me on, keep rollin' on
Continuing the journey and moving towards new opportunities.
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll
Encouraging the crew to keep the train moving as fast as possible.
Mister Engineer, take that throttle in hand
Directing the crew to pick up speed and move faster towards my new destination.
This rattler's the fastest in the southern land
Boasting about the train's speed and determination to move forward.
You gonna ease my mind, put me there on time
Trusting the train crew to take me to my new destination on time and with peace of mind.
I've told you baby from time to time
I've warned you before and tried to make you understand.
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
You refused to listen to me or understand my needs.
You've broken your vow, and it's all over now
You've failed to keep your promises and the relationship is over.
You've switched your engine, now I ain't got time
You've found a new man and I have no time for someone who isn't loyal.
'Cause I'm movin' on, you done your daddy wrong
I'm moving on because you betrayed me and hurt me deeply.
I warned you twice, now you can settle the price
I warned you before and now you have to face the consequences of your actions.
But someday baby, when you've had your play
One day, you will realize your mistakes and want me back.
You're gonna want your daddy, but your daddy will say
You will want me back, but I will have moved on.
Keep movin' on, you stayed away too long
I am moving on and leaving you behind because you were gone for too long.
I'm through with you, too bad you're blue
I am done with you and have no desire to reconcile, even if you regret your actions.
Keep movin' on
Continuing to move on with life and pursue new opportunities.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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