In March 2011, Lynn released her debut solo album, Have You Met Lera Lynn?, to international acclaim. Hand picked from Lynn’s collection of songs written over the previous decade, the album elucidates a painstaking inventory of past experiences, as well as artistic challenges in her present pursuits, and her hopes for the future. Lynn won the 2011 Chris Austin Songwriting Competition held at Merlefest for her song, “Bobby, Baby,” sharing the honor with such alumni as Gillian Welch & Tift Merrit. “Bobby, Baby” also won an award for Best Alt. Country Song in the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop poll, which is determined not by judges but by online fan voting. Just as important to her, Lynn walked away with "Best Country Artist” at her hometown of Athens, GA's 2012 Flagpole Music Awards.
In 2014, Lynn began work on creating music for the second season of the critically acclaimed HBO crime drama series True Detective. Working with songwriter and music producer T Bone Burnett, the two collaborated with singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash at Burnett's home in Los Angeles. Regarding the experience, Lynn said, “Working on the soundtrack for True Detective with T Bone allowed me the freedom to really explore my dark side. And collaborating with Rosanne Cash was a dream come true." After approving the musical tracks, series creator Nic Pizzolatto cast Lynn as a recurring character who performs the songs in a dive bar frequented by the main characters.
Don't Make Me Wait
Lera Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do deep down, upside wrong everyday.
Minute by minute, I'm ten years older.
It pains my neck to look over my shoulder.
My poor heart'll soon be ripped from my sleeve.
Judgeman, come 'n' lock me away.
I'm lone, brave, broke hack.
Minute by minute, I'm ten years older.
It pains my neck to look over my shoulder.
My poor heart'll soon be ripped from my sleeve.
So, send me to the gallows,
burn me at the stake,
but, please, don't make me wait.
In Lera Lynn's song "Don't Make Me Wait," she sings about feeling guilty and weighed down by her inner demons. The song opens with the lines "Lawman, come 'n' take me away. I do deep down, upside wrong everyday." Here, Lynn is acknowledging that she's made mistakes and although they may not be visible to the outside world, they are weighing heavily on her. The idea of being taken away by the law suggests that she wants to be punished for her actions and to find some sort of relief from the burden of her guilt.
Lynn continues in the chorus, "Minute by minute, I'm ten years older. It pains my neck to look over my shoulder. My poor heart'll soon be ripped from my sleeve." These lines depict the toll that her guilt is taking on her both physically and emotionally. She feels like she's aging rapidly, constantly looking back at her mistakes and feeling the pain of her guilt in her heart.
The second verse brings in the idea of the "Judgeman" coming to lock her away, but she begs to be allowed to pay for her actions. The repetition of "minute by minute, I'm ten years older" emphasizes just how consumed she is by her guilt and how it's taking a toll on her life. The repetition of "My poor heart'll soon be ripped from my sleeve" also reinforces the idea of how vulnerable and broken she feels.
The chorus takes on new meaning with the final lines "So, send me to the gallows, burn me at the stake, but, please, don't make me wait." Here, Lynn acknowledges that she's willing to accept any punishment for her actions, but the waiting and uncertainty are unbearable. She just wants to be able to confront her guilt and move forward, whatever that may entail.
Overall, "Don't Make Me Wait" is a powerful and emotional song that delves into the guilt and inner turmoil that can weigh heavily on a person's soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Lawman, come 'n' take me away.
I'm struggling with a deep, internal conflict every day.
I do deep down, upside wrong everyday.
I know I'm doing something wrong, but I can't help it because it's rooted deeply inside me.
Minute by minute, I'm ten years older.
The weight of my guilt and the consequences of my actions are constantly wearing me down.
It pains my neck to look over my shoulder.
I am haunted by my past and the fear of being caught.
My poor heart'll soon be ripped from my sleeve.
I'm scared that my emotions will get the best of me and my secret will be exposed.
Judgeman, come 'n' lock me away.
I know I deserve to be punished for my actions.
I'm lone, brave, broke hack.
I'm facing this alone and don't have the means to make amends.
Please, let me pay.
I'm willing to accept responsibility for what I've done and face the consequences.
So, send me to the gallows, burn me at the stake, but, please, don't make me wait.
I'd rather face my punishment head-on than live in the constant fear of being caught any longer.
Writer(s): LERA LYNN BUETTNER, LERA LYNN
Contributed by Nolan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.