Blue Yodel #1
Jimmie Rodgers & The Rainbow Ranch Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
T for Texas, T for Tennessee
T for Thelma
That gal made a wreck out of me.
[Yodel]: O-de-lay-ee-a-lay-ee-o-ly-ee
If you don't want me mama
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.
[Yodel]:
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.
[Yodel]:
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 my gal.
[Yodel]:
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 lyrics of Jimmie Rodgers and The Rainbow Ranch Boys' song "Blue Yodel #1" are about a man who has had his heart broken by a woman named Thelma. The singer uses the letters "T for Texas, T for Tennessee" to symbolize his pain and heartbreak. He then yodels to express his emotions. The singer mentions that he can easily find more women than a passenger train can haul, indicating that he is not going to dwell on his heartbreak for too long. He then proceeds to express his desire to buy a pistol to shoot Thelma just to see her jump and fall. He also expresses his desire to buy a shotgun and shoot the man who stole his gal. The yodel ending of the song reinforces the singer's emotions of pain, anger, and heartbreak.
"Blue Yodel #1" is considered to be one of Jimmie Rodgers' most popular songs. It has been covered by various artists, such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The song is a perfect example of Rodgers' unique style, which includes mixing country, blues, and yodeling. Interestingly, the song is also known as "T for Texas" and has been given the nickname "The Blue Yodeler."
Line by Line Meaning
T for Texas, T for Tennesee
Texas and Tennessee are both represented by the letter 'T'
T for Texas, T for Tennessee
The singer states again that both Texas and Tennessee are represented by the letter 'T'
T for Thelma
The singer inserts the name of a woman, Thelma, into the song
That gal made a wreck out of me.
The artist is expressing that his relationship with Thelma has caused him emotional turmoil
[Yodel]: O-de-lay-ee-a-lay-ee-o-ly-ee
A yodeling interlude
If you don't want me mama
The singer acknowledges that his romantic interest may not want him
You sure don't have to stall
The singer tells his romantic interest there is no need to hesitate or delay in rejecting him
'Cause I can get more women
The artist boasts that he is highly desirable and could attract other women if necessary
Than a passenger train can haul.
The artist uses a train metaphor to emphasize the number of women he has access to
[Yodel]:
Another yodeling interlude
I'm gonna buy me a pistol
The singer plans to purchase a handgun
Just as long as I'm tall, Lawd, Lawd
The artist emphasizes that the pistol will be quite large
I'm gonna shoot poor Thelma
The singer plans to use the gun to kill Thelma
Just to see her jump and fall.
The singer expresses a sadistic desire to watch Thelma react to being shot
[Yodel]:
Another yodeling interlude
I'm gonna buy me a shotgun
The artist now plans to purchase a shotgun
With a great long shiny barrel
The artist specifies the gun's details
I'm gonna shoot that rounder
The singer has a specific person in mind to shoot
That stole my gal.
The person the singer wishes to shoot has taken Thelma away from him
[Yodel]:
Another yodeling interlude
Rather drink muddy water
The artist would prefer something unpleasant
Sleep in a hollow log
The artist would prefer something uncomfortable
Rather drink muddy water
The singer repeats their preference
And sleep in a hollow log
The artist emphasizes this uncomfortable option
Than to be in Atlanta
The singer identifies a place they would prefer to avoid
Treated like a dirty dog.
The singer fears being treated badly in Atlanta
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMIE RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind