Tune of a Twenty Dollar Bill
Joey Rory Lyrics
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He saw his future in a long white cotton gown
Sittin' there at the church house, she was gonna get baptized
They was gonna have dinner on the grounds
So the very next Friday, he got off at the sawmill
He slicked his hair back, he had a pocket full of pay
When she opened up the front door, he was grinnin' like a possum
Hey, let's go dancin' to the tune of a twenty dollar bill
They've got a fine fiddle band at the barn up on the hill
And by midnight we just might wind up dancin' standin' still
By my daddy's lantern light, let me walk you home
After they got married, it didn't seem like no time
They just sayin' their goodbye's, he's a goin' to the big world war
'Bout a lifetime later, she's a waitin' at the depot
He said I ain't a gonna leave you, no, never no more
Said let's go dancin' to the tune of a twenty dollar bill
They've got a fine fiddle band at the barn up on the hill
And by midnight we just might wind up dancin' standin' still
By my daddy's lantern light, let me walk you home
In front of friends and kinfolk and all of us grandkids
In the same little church house, in a long white cotton gown
He bent down and he kissed her, he said, I'm right behind you, honey
It wasn't long 'til we laid him in the ground
And now they're dancin' to the tune of a twenty dollar bill
They've got a fine fiddle band at the barn up on the hill
And by midnight they just might wind up dancin' standin' still
By the Father's lantern light, they're walkin' home
The song "Tune Of A Twenty Dollar Bill" sung by the American country duo Joey & Rory is a heartfelt ballad that tells the love story of a couple from the day they met to the day they were reunited in heaven. The song starts with the man seeing the woman for the first time at the church where she was going to get baptized, and he knew that she was the one for him, and they were going to have dinner soon. The couple meets again, and he asks her to come along with him to a fiddle band performance at a barn, and they end up dancing the night away just by the light of his father's lantern.
The story takes a sad turn as the man leaves for World War II, and it seems like ages before he is reunited with his love. But they eventually marry, and the song ends with the couple reliving their memories at the same church they first met, with the same fiddle band playing for them, and the woman paying her last respects to her late husband.
This song is a perfect reflection of how true love stands the test of time and how precious memories are, even after the loved one has passed. The couple in the song shared an eternal bond that overcame the distance, war, and finally death.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the first time ever he saw her
The first time he caught sight of her, he knew she was meant to be with him.
He saw his future in a long white cotton gown
He envisioned her standing by his side as his wife in a white wedding dress.
Sittin' there at the church house, she was gonna get baptized
She sat inside the church, waiting to take part in the sacrament of baptism.
They was gonna have dinner on the grounds
After the religious ceremony, they planned to share a meal with other church members outdoors.
So the very next Friday, he got off at the sawmill
He finished work at the sawmill on Friday so he could go see her.
He slicked his hair back, he had a pocket full of pay
He made himself look presentable and had some extra cash in his pocket to impress her.
When she opened up the front door, he was grinnin' like a possum
Seeing her made him happy and he couldn't stop grinning.
As he handed her a daisy, she heard him say
He gave her a symbol of his affection and asked her out on a date to the barn dance.
Hey, let's go dancin' to the tune of a twenty dollar bill
He wanted to take her to the barn dance, dancing to the music of a cheap bill.
They've got a fine fiddle band at the barn up on the hill
There was a good live band playing at the dance location.
And by midnight we just might wind up dancin' standin' still
They could dance until dawn and still be lost in each other's embrace.
By my daddy's lantern light, let me walk you home
He offered to walk her home under the light of his father's lantern.
After they got married, it didn't seem like no time
After they tied the knot, time seemed to fly.
They just sayin' their goodbye's, he's a goin' to the big world war
They had to part ways when he left for the war abroad.
'Bout a lifetime later, she's a waitin' at the depot
Years later, she waited at the train station for his return.
He said I ain't a gonna leave you, no, never no more
He promised to never leave her again.
In front of friends and kinfolk and all of us grandkids
Years later, they stood in front of family and friends with their grandchildren around them.
He bent down and he kissed her, he said, I'm right behind you, honey
He kissed her and promised to always be with her, no matter what.
It wasn't long 'til we laid him in the ground
They were married for years until he passed away and was buried.
And now they're dancin' to the tune of a twenty dollar bill
In heaven or in spirit, they dance to the memory of the music that brought them together.
They've got a fine fiddle band at the barn up on the hill
The music that bonded them in life is still alive in eternity.
And by midnight they just might wind up dancin' standin' still
Their love will forever be immortal, and the dance they shared could last eternity.
By the Father's lantern light, they're walkin' home
They are guided by divine light, walking hand in hand towards the eternal home.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abi Adams
i love singing this song on stage as a cover
Marryann Lamb
Thanks so much for sharing great couple .
Harry Gillen
awsome cover and song