Blue Yodel #10
Jimmie Rodgers Lyrics


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Something about you mama sure
Gives me the blues, hey hey
Something about you mama sure
Gives me the blues
It ain't your drop stitch stockings it
Ain't your blue buckle shoes, hey hey

You know pretty mama I'm bound
To love you some, it's the truth honey
You know pretty mama I'm bound
To love you some
'Cause I've done more for you
Than anybody ever done, you know it baby

Got me a pretty mama got me a bulldog too
Sure have
Got me a pretty mama got me a bulldog too
My pretty mama don't love me
But my bulldog do

There's been a groundhog rootin' round
My yard at night, hey hey
There's been a groundhog rootin' round
My yard at night
For the way my mama been treatin' me
He must be rootin' all right
Lord honey must be rootin' all right

I ain't no cheap man don't
Try to vamp no girls
I ain't no cheap man don't
Try to vamp no girls





It's my regular grindin' gets me
By in this world

Overall Meaning

The song "T For Texas" by Jimmie Rodgers is a classic country-blues tune that showcases the heartache, frustration, and longing for revenge that can come from a tumultuous relationship. The song is divided into several parts, each of which adds to the overall narrative of the song. The opening lines draw attention to the two states in which the singer has had experiences that have affected him deeply: Texas and Tennessee. The repetition of the state names drives home the idea that these places hold a lot of meaning for him. However, he quickly shifts his focus to Thelma, the woman who has caused him so much pain. He refers to her as a "wreck," suggesting that she has taken a toll on him physically and emotionally.


The singer expresses his frustration with Thelma in several ways throughout the song. He makes it clear that he doesn't want to be strung along by her; he would rather know where he stands so that he can pursue other women. He also expresses a desire for revenge, stating that he will "shoot poor Thelma just to see her jump and fall." The final lines of the song reveal that the singer has decided to leave the area entirely, seeking refuge in a place where the water is better and he won't be treated poorly. Overall, "T For Texas" is a song that speaks to the complicated emotions that can arise in a tumultuous relationship, and the desire for revenge that can sometimes follow.


Line by Line Meaning

T for Texas, T for Tennessee
Texas and Tennessee are represented by the letter T indicating the singer's love for these states.


T for Thelma
Thelma is the singer's lover, who he thinks of fondly despite the trouble she has caused him.


That gal that made a wreck out of me
Thelma has caused the singer a great deal of pain and trouble, but he still loves her.


If you don't want me mama You sure don't have to stall, Lawd Lawd If you don't want me mama You sure don't have to stall 'Cause I can get more women Than a passenger train can haul
The singer is telling his lover that if she doesn't want him anymore, she doesn't have to delay breaking up with him because he knows he can find other women easily.


I'm gonna buy me a pistol Just as long as I'm tall, Lawd Lawd I'm gonna buy me a pistol Just as long as I'm tall I'm gonna shoot poor Thelma Just to see her jump and fall
The singer is expressing his anger towards Thelma and his desire to harm her by buying a gun and using it against her.


I'm goin' where the water Drinks like cherry wine, ding on boys, ding 'em Lord I'm goin' where the water Drinks like cherry wine 'Cause the Georgia water Tastes like turpentine
The singer is going to a place where the water is pure and enjoyable to drink because he doesn't like the taste of the water in Georgia.


I'm gonna buy me a shotgun With a great long shiny barrel I'm gonna buy me a shotgun With a great long shiny barrel I'm gonna shoot that rounder That stole away my gal
The singer is expressing his intention to purchase a shotgun in order to hurt the person who stole Thelma from him.


Rather drink muddy water Sleep in a hollow log Rather drink muddy water And sleep in a hollow log Than to be in Atlanta Treated like a dirty dog
The singer would prefer to endure difficult circumstances such as drinking dirty water and sleeping in uncomfortable places than to be mistreated in Atlanta.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@sarakonetzka6387

Love this guy and this old timy music

@johnmcgraw1765

Jimmie, Sara and Maybelle country are angel's

@sallysally9820

First time listening to this song and I love it.

@jeffscott8323

This was rock in roll in the 30s. Hee Haw. Southern rock.

@TonyManenetti

yutes aka teens steal it all due to the uh wwii thing that we get banned for talking about.

@gobbism

I am sooo going to make some dropstitch stockings!

@adruark5159

Right on, Gabrielle! Also love the "Bulldog" verse!

@gobbism

I did make drop stitch stockings. It took some research to figure out what that meant.

@dargosian

@@gobbism 9 years' research, apparently! Good to see people keep returning to this song.

@William1Rabe

It ain't your drop stitch stockings Or your blue buckle shoes

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