When You Got a Good Friend
Nigel Watson; Peter Green Lyrics

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When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right

I mistreated my baby, and I can't see no reason why
I mistreated my baby, but I can't see no reason why
Every time I think about it, I just wring my hands and cry

Wonder could I to bear apologize, or would she sympathize with me?
Mmm-mmm-mmm, would she sympathize with me?
She's a brown-skin woman, just as sweet as a girlfriend can be

Mmm-mmm, babe, I may be right or wrong
Baby, it's your opinion, oh, I may be right or wrong
Watch your close friend, baby, then your enemies can't do you no harm

When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side

When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right

Overall Meaning

Peter Green's song When You Got A Good Friend is a soulful ode to the importance of having a loyal companion in life. The song emphasizes the value of having someone who will stand by you through thick and thin, and treats you with love and respect. The singer reflects on his own past mistakes and regrets, acknowledging that he has mistreated his partner but is unsure of how to make amends. He wonders whether his partner will forgive him or sympathize with him, and highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with trustworthy individuals who have your best interests at heart.

The repeated refrain of "when you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side" reinforces the theme of loyalty and camaraderie, and urges the listener to cherish those relationships in their life. The lyrics also touch upon the idea of self-reflection, admitting one's faults, and making amends. The song's universal themes of love, friendship, and redemption have made it a staple in blues and rock music, resonating with audiences across generations.

Line by Line Meaning

When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
Having a loyal friend who stays with you through thick and thin is truly valuable

Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right
It's important to show your appreciation and love towards your friends by spending time with them and treating them well

I mistreated my baby, and I can't see no reason why
I regret mistreating my loved one and can't find any excuse or justification for my actions

Every time I think about it, I just wring my hands and cry
Thinking about my wrongdoings towards my loved one makes me feel ashamed, remorseful and deeply saddened

Would she sympathize with me? She's a brown-skin woman, just as sweet as a girlfriend can be
I wonder if my loved one would understand my regret and forgive me. I describe her as a kind and loving person despite her skin color

Baby, it's your opinion, oh, I may be right or wrong
I acknowledge that what I did was wrong and ultimately, it's up to my loved one to decide whether to forgive me or not

Watch your close friend, baby, then your enemies can't do you no harm
By being careful about who we choose to befriend and keeping those true friends close, we can protect ourselves from harm and negative influences

Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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