So Good To Me
Lee Williams And The Spiritual QC's Lyrics
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With a picture of Stonewall Jackson above my head
Then daddy came in to kiss his little man
With gin on his breath and a Bible in his hand
He talked about honor and things I should know
Then he staggered a little as he went out the door
And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me Hank and Tennessee
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be
So what do you do with good ole boys like me
Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does
But you ain't afraid if you're washed in the blood like I was
The smell of Cape Jasmine through the window screen
John are and the wolfman kept me company
By the light of the radio by my bed with Thomas Wolfe whispering in my head
I can still hear the soft southern winds...
When I was in school I ran with a kid down the street
And I watched him burn himself up on Bourbon and speed
But I was smarter than most and I could choose
Learned to talk like the man on the six o'clock news
When I was eighteen Lord I hit the road but it really dodn't matter how far I go
I can still hear the soft southern winds...
Yeah what do you do with good ole boys like me
The first verse of the song sets the tone for a lyrical and introspective journey through the singer's past. The singer reminisces about childhood memories, when his Uncle Remus would put him to bed under a picture of Stonewall Jackson while his father would come in smelling of gin and holding a bible to talk about honor and life lessons. The second line of the verse is especially poignant, as it suggests a deep sense of nostalgia and reverence for the past, even if that past is complicated and sometimes fraught with difficulty. As the verse progresses, the singer recognizes the importance of those formative experiences and the impact they had on his life.
The chorus of "So Good To Me" is particularly significant, as it suggests a kind of resignation or acceptance of the singer's identity and place in the world. The question "what do you do with good ole boys like me" is both a statement of fact and a bit of a challenge to the listener. The singer acknowledges that he is who he is, and he's not necessarily interested in changing that. However, the question also implies a certain amount of ambiguity and complexity, as if the singer is asking the listener to grapple with the nuances of his identity and background.
In the second verse of the song, the singer continues to reflect on his past, detailing his teenage years and early adulthood. The image of the smell of Cape Jasmine through the window screen is particularly evocative, conjuring a sense of place and time that is both specific and universal. As the verse progresses, the singer acknowledges the ways in which he has been shaped by the world around him, from the literature that he reads to the people he interacts with.
Overall, "So Good To Me" is a song about memory, identity, and the ways in which our past experiences shape who we are. Through vivid imagery and introspective lyrics, Lee Williams crafts a powerful meditation on the complexities of Southern life and the enduring impact of childhood memories.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a kid Uncle Remus he put me to bed
When I was a child, Uncle Remus used to tuck me in at night
With a picture of Stonewall Jackson above my head
Above my bed there hung a picture of Stonewall Jackson
Then daddy came in to kiss his little man
My father used to come in and give me a goodnight kiss
With gin on his breath and a Bible in his hand
My dad would drink, but he also had a Bible with him
He talked about honor and things I should know
My father spoke to me about important values like honor
Then he staggered a little as he went out the door
My dad stumbled a bit as he left my room
I can still hear the soft southern winds in the live oak trees
I remember the peaceful sound of the wind through the oak trees
And those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me Hank and Tennessee
The music of Hank Williams and Tennessee Williams still resonates with me
I guess we're all gonna be what we're gonna be
We are all destined to become who we are meant to be
So what do you do with good ole boys like me
What do you do with someone who embodies a traditional southern lifestyle like me?
Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does
The only sound in the night that's really noticeable is the sound of the wind
But you ain't afraid if you're washed in the blood like I was
If you have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, you have nothing to fear
The smell of Cape Jasmine through the window screen
I recall smelling the scent of Cape Jasmine through my window screen
John are and the wolfman kept me company
I used to listen to radio personalities like John R and the Wolfman for companionship
By the light of the radio by my bed with Thomas Wolfe whispering in my head
I recall reading books like Thomas Wolfe's and listening to the radio in bed
When I was in school I ran with a kid down the street
When I was in school, I hung out with a neighbor
And I watched him burn himself up on Bourbon and speed
I observed him destroy himself with alcohol and drugs
But I was smarter than most and I could choose
However, unlike him, I was able to make intelligent choices
Learned to talk like the man on the six o'clock news
I learned how to speak like the news anchors on TV
When I was eighteen Lord I hit the road but it really dodn't matter how far I go
At 18, I left my hometown and traveled far, but it doesn't really matter where I end up
I can still hear the soft southern winds...
I still recall the peaceful sound of the wind through the trees
Yeah what do you do with good ole boys like me
Once again, what should society do with someone who embodies the traditional southern culture like me?
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MCDILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind