Swamp Music
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Goin' down to the swamp
Goin' watch me a hound dog catch a 'coon
Well, I'm goin' down to the swamp
Goin' to watch a hound dog catch a 'coon
You know the hound dog makin' music
On a summer night by the light of the moon

Oh, fetch my cane pole mama


Goin' catch a bream or maybe two
Lord, fetch my cane pole mama
Goin' catch a bream or maybe two
When the hound dogs start barkin'
Sound like ol' Son House singin' the blues

Hound dog sing that
Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
When the hound dog starts singin'
I ain't got them big ol' city blues

Go ahead pretty mamma
Lord, just take that city hike
Said, go ahead pretty mamma
Lord, just take your city hike
Well, I'd rather live with the hound dogs
For the rest of my natural born life

Singin' that
Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
Well, I'd rather live with the hound dogs
For the rest of my natural born life

Well, I want to live with the hound dogs
For the rest of my natural born life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Swamp Music" by Lynyrd Skynyrd describe a longing to be in the rural, natural environment of the swamp instead of the bustling city. The narrator wants to witness the simple pleasures like a hound dog catching a 'coon and catch some fish with his cane pole. The hound dog's barking is likened to the blues music of the legendary Son House. The swamp music, which is the hound dog's barking, is further highlighted as a better alternative to the big city blues.


The second verse continues with the idea that the narrator prefers the swamp life and urges his partner to leave the city behind and come with him. The repetition of "swamp music" throughout the song emphasizes the narrator's connection to the natural sounds of the swamp and how it is a source of joy and freedom. Overall, "Swamp Music" celebrates the simple joys of the rural, country lifestyle and romanticizes the hound dogs and barking that are such a core element of the southern swamps.


Line by Line Meaning

Goin' down to the swamp
Going to the swamp


Goin' watch me a hound dog catch a 'coon
Watching a hound dog catch a raccoon


Well, I'm goin' down to the swamp
Heading to the swamp


Goin' to watch a hound dog catch a 'coon
Watching a hound dog catch a raccoon


You know the hound dog makin' music
The hound dog is making music


On a summer night by the light of the moon
On a summer night under the moonlight


Oh, fetch my cane pole mama
Get my fishing pole, mama


Goin' catch a bream or maybe two
Going to catch one or two breams (fish)


Lord, fetch my cane pole mama
Please get my fishing pole, mama


Goin' catch a bream or maybe two
Going to catch one or two breams (fish)


When the hound dogs start barkin'
When the hound dogs start barking


Sound like ol' Son House singin' the blues
It sounds like an old blues singer named Son House


Hound dog sing that
Hound dog is singing that


Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
The music of the swamp


Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
The music of the swamp


When the hound dog starts singin'
When the hound dog starts singing


I ain't got them big ol' city blues
I don't have the blues of the big city


Go ahead pretty mamma
Go ahead, pretty mama


Lord, just take that city hike
Just leave the city life


Said, go ahead pretty mamma
I said, go ahead, pretty mama


Lord, just take your city hike
Just leave your city life


Well, I'd rather live with the hound dogs
I prefer living with the hound dogs


For the rest of my natural born life
For the rest of my life


Singin' that
Singing that


Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
The music of the swamp


Swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music
The music of the swamp


Well, I'd rather live with the hound dogs
I prefer living with the hound dogs


For the rest of my natural born life
For the rest of my life


Well, I want to live with the hound dogs
I want to live with the hound dogs


For the rest of my natural born life
For the rest of my life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWARD C. KING, RONNIE VAN ZANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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