Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Death at the Bar
Kitty Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's evil in a place where there's whiskey to sell
When down the whiskey road you've traveled to far
Drunkards you'll meet death at the bar
Why the misery of death in sin
When Jesus is pleading for your soul to win
If down the whiskey road you travel to far
This story I'll tell about one who died
The bar he had gone for whiskey to buy
The poisonous drink has weaken his heart
When poor drunkard he died at the bar
Why the misery of death in sin
When Jesus is pleading for your soul to win
If down the whiskey road you travel to far
Drunkards you'll meet death at the bar
There's coming a time you'll have to face
The great day of judgment then what will you say
The whiskey on you has left a scar
Drunkard you'll meet death at the bar
Why the misery of death in sin
When Jesus is pleading for your soul to win
If down the whiskey road you travel to far
Drunkards you'll meet death at the bar
The lyrics of Kitty Wells's song Death at the Bar tell a story of caution to all those who indulge in excessive drinking. The first stanza emphasizes the danger associated with selling whiskey, which can lead to the death of drunkards. The second stanza highlights the conflict between drinking alcohol and religious beliefs. Jesus is portrayed as pleading for the souls of the sinful drinkers. The third stanza tells a tragic story of a man who died at the bar after drinking poisonous whiskey that weakened his heart. The final stanza advises the listeners to ponder what they will say on the Day of Judgment, warning that excessive drinking will only leave a scar and lead to death.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen drunkards to the story I tell
Attention all drunkards, I have a story to tell
There's evil in a place where there's whiskey to sell
The sale of whiskey can bring about negative consequences
When down the whiskey road you've traveled to far
If you consume too much alcohol, you've gone too far
Drunkards you'll meet death at the bar
Consuming too much alcohol can lead to death
Why the misery of death in sin
Why risk facing the consequences of dying in sin?
When Jesus is pleading for your soul to win
Jesus wants to save your soul from sin
If down the whiskey road you travel to far
If you consume too much alcohol, you're traveling down a dangerous path
Drunkards you'll meet death at the bar
Consuming too much alcohol can lead to death
This story I'll tell about one who died
I will tell a story about someone who passed away
The bar he had gone for whiskey to buy
He went to the bar to purchase whiskey
The poisonous drink has weaken his heart
Drinking the poison that is alcohol weakened his heart
When poor drunkard he died at the bar
The poor man died at the bar from consuming too much alcohol
There's coming a time you'll have to face
There will come a moment when you have to confront your actions
The great day of judgment then what will you say
What will you say when you face judgment day?
The whiskey on you has left a scar
The effects of alcohol may have lasting negative consequences on your life
Drunkard you'll meet death at the bar
Consuming too much alcohol can lead to death
Writer(s): johnnie wright, jack anglin
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TOM WALLY
Great lady one of the greast country ladies.I have a group of her LP albums.RIP
Lilly's Vintage Country Music
I agree, she is my one of my favourites also, Lilly.
Mary Thompson
Kitty Wells Voice Beautiful She Singing Up In Heaven Rip
Marie Maribo
Another great song by our dear Miss Kitty. 5***** again Marie
betty stephenson
awesome song thanks for sharing lilly
mrblindfreddy9999
good one lilly as usual 5 stars
jtls8
Just love this*****Thank you for posting.
Johnny Haddo
is it alright to drink beer, my friend? top tune :>)
jimmy storey
great song one the best
Jon McLurg
i know someone who drank so much whiskey the skin peeled off his face and quit drinking and then died six months later.