Honky Red
Murray McLauchlan Lyrics


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I ain't got no back porch
I ain't got a rocking chair
I got a dirty old coat
I got shaky hands
And a face like a grizzly bear

I'm an old wino and I scare all the ladies
Yeah you might say that I'm a bum
But I'm sure wired up to the Honky Red
And that good Gold Anchor rum

When I need a drink I'm stains on a sink
I'm please and thank you ma'am
But when I got a head full of Honky Red
I don't give no good goddamn

I fought in your wars now I sleep in your doors
An' I left my leg in France
All that remains is a ghostly pain
When the mornings get too damp

I come from the styx
I got grade six
And I ain't much in demand.
I deliver hand bills and I steal red pills
From the boys in the whorehouse band

When I need a drink I'm stains on a sink
I'm please and thank you ma'am
But when I got a head full of Honky Red
I don't give no good goddamn

I've got me a little girl that I see sometimes
She's damn near half a ton
In a furnished room in the Joyceville pen
I got me a no good son
But I'll keep me a head full of Honky Red
'til the reaper tolls the bell
If I'm as high when I die as I was when I lived
I'll be in heaven as sure as hell

When I need a drink I'm stains on a sink
I'm please and thank you ma'am
But when I got a head full of Honky Red
I don't give no good goddamn

When I need a drink I'm stains on a sink
I'm please and thank you ma'am




But when I got a head full of Honky Red
I don't give no good goddamn

Overall Meaning

Murray McLauchlan's song Honky Red tells the story of a man who is living a life that can only be described as tragic. The song centers on the character's addiction to alcohol, which he uses to numb the physical and emotional pain that he experiences. The lyrics describe his physical appearance, living condition, and personal history, all of which contribute to his sense of hopelessness and despair.


The character describes himself as an "old wino" who scares women away. He has a "face like a grizzly bear" and "shaky hands," both of which suggest that he has been exposed to a lot of hard living. The reference to the "Honky Red" and "good Gold Anchor rum" indicate that he is a hard drinker who is willing to do anything to get his fix. He is also a war veteran who has lost his leg in battle, adding to his overall sense of desolation.


Despite all of his problems, the character still manages to find moments of joy in his life. He has a daughter whom he sees from time to time, and he takes solace in the fact that he can still access alcohol. The song ends with a powerful statement about the character's relationship to his addiction, suggesting that he is willing to die as long as he remains intoxicated.


Overall, the song paints a bleak picture of a man who has been dealt a difficult hand in life. However, it also recognizes that this man is still human, with moments of joy and pain like anyone else.


Line by Line Meaning

I ain't got no back porch
I do not have a nice and comfortable place to enjoy my time


I ain't got a rocking chair
I do not have the luxury of a rocking chair to laze around


I got a dirty old coat
My coat is old and unclean


I got shaky hands
My hands tremble uncontrollably


And a face like a grizzly bear
My face looks rough and unattractive, like that of a wild grizzly bear


I'm an old wino and I scare all the ladies
I am an aged alcoholic person and I intimidate women around me


Yeah you might say that I'm a bum
You can call me a worthless and jobless person


But I'm sure wired up to the Honky Red
But I am under the influence of the alcoholic beverage called Honky Red


And that good Gold Anchor rum
And its mix with Gold Anchor rum


When I need a drink I'm stains on a sink
I cannot hold myself when I need a drink and leave my traces on a sink


I'm please and thank you ma'am
I am polite and respectful while asking for a drink


But when I got a head full of Honky Red
But when I am highly intoxicated with Honky Red


I don't give no good goddamn
I do not care about anything anymore


I fought in your wars now I sleep in your doors
I served in your wars, but now I have to sleep on your streets


An' I left my leg in France
And I lost my leg in France


All that remains is a ghostly pain
All that is left is an unrelenting phantom pain


When the mornings get too damp
When the moisture in the air makes it unbearable


I come from the styx
I come from an unknown and distant place


I got grade six
I only completed sixth grade


And I ain't much in demand.
I am not wanted or needed anywhere


I deliver hand bills and I steal red pills
I distribute flyers and steal red pills


From the boys in the whorehouse band
From the musicians playing in the brothel


I've got me a little girl that I see sometimes
I have a daughter whom I meet occasionally


She's damn near half a ton
She weighs almost 500 kgs


In a furnished room in the Joyceville pen
She lives in a furnished room in the Joyceville penitentiary


I got me a no good son
I have a worthless and good-for-nothing son


But I'll keep me a head full of Honky Red
But I will continue to intoxicate myself with Honky Red


'til the reaper tolls the bell
Until the time I die


If I'm as high when I die as I was when I lived
If I die as drunk as I lived


I'll be in heaven as sure as hell
I am completely sure that I will go to heaven if I die as an intoxicated person




Contributed by Charlotte J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

travelingman777

This is the version I have been looking for!! Love this song!!!

Kelly Mark

Glad that i could help! and glad that you enjoyed your listen :) 

Wayne Hosick

The first time I've ever heard the original. The remake Murray did on his greatest hits has a little more punch, but the 'soul' here is still intact. Thanks for posting.

Kelly Mark

@Wayne Hosick Glad that you enjoyed it! You are most welcome for the post :)

Lee Ham

My brother found this on a record at Value Village. Pretty damn good.

Dan Bartko

One of those artists where I would
have stopped what I was doing or
cancelled what I was to have had
going on,to head on out to see them.

therealhotdog

grew up on Murray songs i know today he lives off the Danforth he was my number 1 singer love you Murray

S. Rakes

Thanks for sharing!
That's great!

Kelly Mark

You are most welcome .. glad that you enjoyed it :)

NLTDB3S

Bad Asss ✌🏻💪🏻🍀🙏🏻❤️🎶🎸

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