Poor Man's Son
Kris Drever Lyrics
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You don't need a job if you've got a gun and there's a bank across the road,
My Ma hangs around my neck,
I point the pistol and tell the clerk,
I'm not a bad man I'm just a poor man's son,
So give me the money and nobody gets hurt,
The deputy sheriff points his gun at me,
I'm starting to think that you like that cell,
And you can't wait to go to hell!
Hey, Ma! It's me and I'm not married yet,
I'm sorry I'm going away again for another five year stretch,
I'll make good someday you wait and see,
I love you Ma say hi to Billy.
(Repeat last verse)
I love you Ma say hi to Billy.
Kris Drever's "Poor Man's Son" is a poignant tale of a young man who is trying to make ends meet and survive by any means possible. The song's opening lines describe an advert on a wall that calls for workers. However, the singer of the song realizes that he doesn't need a job if he has a gun and a bank to rob across the road. He takes his mother's photo and holds the clerk at gunpoint while explaining to him that he's not a bad man – he's just a poor man's son who needs money. The deputy sheriff arrives on the scene and points his gun at him. He accuses the young man of not learning from his previous mistakes and says that he must enjoy going to jail. The song ends with the young man saying goodbye to his mother for another five years and promising to make good someday.
The song is a commentary on the struggles of poverty and the lengths some people will go to in order to survive. It highlights the fact that poverty is a systemic issue that can lead people to resort to crime. The singer of the song is not inherently evil, but he is driven to commit crimes because he has no other options.
Overall, "Poor Man's Son" is a powerful song that draws attention to the struggles of poverty and its impact on individuals and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Advert hangs upon the wall "workers needed apply below",
A job advertisement is hanging on the wall indicating the need for workers to apply below.
You don't need a job if you've got a gun and there's a bank across the road,
Having a gun and a nearby bank can substitute the need for a job.
My Ma hangs around my neck,
My mother's love and presence are always with me.
I point the pistol and tell the clerk,
I use the gun to intimidate the clerk.
I'm not a bad man I'm just a poor man's son,
I am not a bad person, but my difficult upbringing and lack of resources have led me to these actions.
So give me the money and nobody gets hurt,
I only want the money, and I won't hurt anyone if I get it.
The deputy sheriff points his gun at me,
The deputy sheriff aims his gun at me.
You'll never learn will you McGee,
The deputy sheriff believes I am incapable of changing my ways.
I'm starting to think that you like that cell,
The deputy sheriff suspects that I enjoy being in prison.
And you can't wait to go to hell!
The deputy sheriff believes that I am destined for damnation.
Hey, Ma! It's me and I'm not married yet,
Hello, mother! It's me, and I am still unmarried.
I'm sorry I'm going away again for another five year stretch,
I apologize for having to leave again for a five-year prison sentence.
I'll make good someday you wait and see,
I will succeed someday; just wait and see.
I love you Ma say hi to Billy.
I love you, mother. Please give my regards to Billy.
(Repeat last verse)
The last verse is being repeated.
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