Have a Drink On Me
Lonnie Donegan Lyrics
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Along came a miner with a big fat load
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
He was caked in dirt from his head to his foot
His hair so black, that it looked like soot
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
Ev'rybody have a drink on me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Well, he reined in his mule and hitched him to the rail
And he said "Ol' fella it's the end of the trail"
Hey, hey, everybody drink on me
Well, he ambled on down to the old saloon
He said "I know it's early and it ain't quite noon"
But, hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
Ev'rybody have a drink on me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
Ev'rybody have a drink on me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Well, I just got a letter from down in Tennessee
It said my Uncle died and left an oil well to me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
I've been diggin' all my life and I nearly got to hell
But my Uncle dug potatoes and he struck an oil well
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
Ev'rybody have a drink on me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
Ev'rybody have a drink on me
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
The lyrics to Lonnie Donegan's song, Have a Drink on Me, tell the story of a miner who arrives in a dusty town with a big fat load on his back. He is covered head-to-toe in dirt and looks like he just came out of a coal mine. As he walks into the saloon, he invites everyone to have a drink on him, celebrating his newfound wealth. The song shifts when he receives a letter announcing his uncle’s death with an oil well left to him. He tells the people to drink on him again as he rejoices that he no longer has to dig in the coal mines.
The song’s chorus repeatedly invites listeners to join the miner and have a drink on him. The singer is generous with his newfound wealth, and he wants everyone to celebrate with him. The song is about having a good time, being happy about a newfound fortune, and sharing it with others. It describes the joy of relieving oneself from one's struggles and enjoying life with others.
Line by Line Meaning
In eighteen-eighty down a dusty road
The song starts by setting the scene, describing a miner traveling down a dusty road in 1880.
Along came a miner with a big fat load
The miner in question was carrying a large amount of something valuable, such as gold or silver.
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
The miner is generously offering to buy everyone a drink.
He was caked in dirt from his head to his foot
The miner was very dirty from the work he had been doing, and covered in dirt from head to toe.
His hair so black, that it looked like soot
The miner's hair was extremely black and dirty, looking almost like soot.
Well, he reined in his mule and hitched him to the rail
The miner stopped his mule and tied it up outside the saloon.
And he said "Ol' fella it's the end of the trail"
The miner remarked to someone nearby that he had reached his destination at the saloon.
Well, he ambled on down to the old saloon
The miner made his way into the saloon.
He said "I know it's early and it ain't quite noon"
The miner noted that it was still early in the day, and not yet noon.
But, hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
Undeterred by the early hour, the miner still wants to buy drinks for everyone in the saloon.
Well, I just got a letter from down in Tennessee
The song takes an unexpected turn, as the miner reveals that he has received a letter from a relative in Tennessee.
It said my Uncle died and left an oil well to me
The letter informed the miner that his uncle had passed away and left him an oil well in Tennessee.
I've been diggin' all my life and I nearly got to hell
The miner laments that he has spent his whole life digging for precious minerals, with little success.
But my Uncle dug potatoes and he struck an oil well
The miner's uncle, who had a completely different occupation, was the one who stumbled upon a valuable resource.
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink on me
The song's chorus repeats again, with the miner insisting that everyone should have a drink on him.
Ev'rybody have a drink on me
The miner truly wants everyone in the saloon to enjoy themselves and have a good time.
Hey, hey, ev'rybody drink on me
The song ends with the miner once again urging everyone to have a drink on him, and enjoy the moment.
Contributed by Nolan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrMercier7
My Dad loved this song as well and this was played as the final song at his funeral service as we left for the wake. Missing you Dad.
@4wdthinker
What a good taste in music your Dad had. Music has a great way of keeping memories alive. All the best.
@billschnarr348
The guy was a national treasure!!
@camnr2933
Lonnie was an iconic figure. My brother and I bought most of his records and I used to listen to them when I was revising for A levels. I still regularly sing his songs when out walking.
@walterprill5280
When I was a youngster, about 5 ish, my mother bought me a Chrystal radio kit from Radio Shack. Got it working and this was the first song I heard. I have been hooked on music ever since. Smile!
W.P.
@RockinAtheist
Back in the early 1960's Lonnie appeared as guest banjo player at the Barnet Jazz Club. During the interval we all jammed into the local pub, the name of which I've forgotten. Across to me at the bar was Lonnie and his friends. I started singing "Have a Drink on Me" and Lonnie asked if I'd bought his record. I told him I'd bought every record since 'Bring a Little Water Silvie'. He shouted to the barman, "Get this man a drink" and he bought me a mild and bitter. My only claim to fame in this life. Well, except for the time I met Connie Francis, briefly.
@paulwood8410
THANKS
@gregcharles2524
That's interesting. I'll be honest, I've never really been to a real music club of any sort. I've listened to live music, but not music that I'd really listen to outside of being at that particular venue. I plan on getting out more now that the COVID stuff is finishing up. I'm just a young millennial who hasn't gotten out due to school and work. Work has been hard lately, but I expect it to pay off when I get out and hopefully meet my own Lonnie Donegans.. I know they're out there.
@Canadasvt
@@gregcharles2524I hope you been out now 🎉
@a.duncan6791
Dude, you lived another half century, long enough to recount the story. I'd call the one hell of an achievement.