Green began his musical career when he was 18 and in college at Texas Tech in Lubbock. "I started playing guitar to pick up the chicks," Green laughs. "Before that, I only sang in the shower. I could mimic other people's voices. It took me a long time to find my own voice, but once I did, I became very comfortable with it. It's not real pretty but it's believable."
During those college years, Green started playing clubs and opening shows for other artists. In 1995, he put out his first independent record.
"I don't know exactly where it began, if it was Willie Nelson's picnic or one of Jerry Jeff's shows, but I got asked to play and there was a huge crowd there," Green says. "After that show, we started getting some radio support. All of a sudden, everything started happening at once. We were selling a ton of records. We were able sell out Billy Bob's. In Dallas-Fort Worth, we were selling 4, 5, 6000 seats. In Houston and everywhere else, it started being 1000, 2000 seats. It just started steamrolling. I think it was a combination of the popularity of Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson leading the forefront for us little guys. We just all fell in line behind them."
The result of that faith was Green's 2001 major-label debut, Three Days, on Republic/Universal. The album Wave On Wave followed in 2003, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard country albums chart, and the title track cracked the Top 5 on the singles chart. He released Lucky Ones in 2004. In 2006, after a move to the RCA imprint BNA, he issued Cannonball.
Threadbare Gypsy Soul
Pat Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Likes to dance and drink and go wherever the wind blows
Gotta little threadbare gypsy soul
Gotta little threadbare gypsy soul
Gotta little wild streak in my heart
I guess that I have had it since I heard the music start
I gotta little wild streak in my heart
I like to hear the highway sounds
And I don't think that I'll ever settle down
I can't change and it's a sin
Hope St. Peter gonna let me in
Come on Pete won't you let me in
I wear this cowboy hat up on my head
And you can take it off me some time after I am dead
Gotta cowboy hat up on my head
Gotta little threadbare gypsy soul
I wear these crusty shoes down on my feet
I could write a book about the places that they've seen
I got these crusty shoes down on my feet
I got a little wild streak in my heart
I like to hear the highway sounds
Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever settle down
And I can't change and it's a sin
I hope St. Peter's gonna let me in
Come on Pete won't you let me in
I know this crazy living just ain't right
Most of the time I'm smoking, drinking, looking for a fight
But I've been talkin' to Jesus every day
And I've been talkin' to Jesus every day
And I got this girl back home I call my wife
If you ever met her, I swear she would change your life
She's gotta little wild streak in her heart
But she's been saying hallelujah every day
I like to hear the highway sounds
And I don't think that I'll ever settle down
I can't change and it might be a sin
Hope St. Peter gonna let me in
Got my gypsy soul to bear, amen
The song "Threadbare Gypsy Soul" by Pat Green is a self-reflective song that showcases the singer's journey of self-discovery, living life to the fullest, and dealing with the consequences of his actions. He describes himself as having a threadbare gypsy soul, always ready to go wherever the wind blows him. He enjoys dancing and drinking, and his heart has a little wild streak that has been with him since his passion for music began. He likens his life to a gypsy, always on the move, and his shoes to a book that can tell a story about the many places he has been to. The singer is so committed to his way of life that he feels it's a sin to change. He is simultaneously attracted to the excitement of a life on the road and feels guilty for not living the life that society expects him to live.
The singer has a nagging fear that his chaotic lifestyle might not be acceptable to St. Peter at the pearly gates, and he pleads with him to let him in. The song also introduces an interesting aspect of the singer's life - he's married to a woman who calls him home. Although he portrays this woman as having a wild streak, her newfound faith has led her to start saying hallelujah every day. Through this song, Pat Green highlights the fact that a person can grasp and accept different aspects of their personality and still walk their spiritual and life journey with the same sincerity.
Line by Line Meaning
Got myself a threadbare gypsy soul
I have a free-spirited and nomadic nature
Likes to dance and drink and go wherever the wind blows
I like to have fun and embrace the uncertainty of life
Gotta little threadbare gypsy soul
My adventurous spirit is a part of who I am
Gotta little wild streak in my heart
I have a rebellious side that craves excitement
I guess that I have had it since I heard the music start
My love for music sparked this free-spirited side of me
I like to hear the highway sounds
I enjoy the freedom and adventure of the open road
And I don't think that I'll ever settle down
I can't see myself sticking to one place or lifestyle
I can't change and it's a sin
I know I can't change who I am, even if some consider it wrong
Hope St. Peter gonna let me in
I hope to be granted passage into heaven despite my flaws and choices
Come on Pete won't you let me in
I plead for forgiveness and acceptance despite my ways
I wear this cowboy hat up on my head
My hat is a symbol of the Western, wandering lifestyle I embody
And you can take it off me some time after I am dead
Even in death, my cowboy spirit will remain
I wear these crusty shoes down on my feet
My shoes have traveled with me and witnessed my adventures
I could write a book about the places that they've seen
My shoes have been through so much, they could tell countless stories
I know this crazy living just ain't right
I understand that my choices may be perceived as negative or wrong by society
Most of the time I'm smoking, drinking, looking for a fight
My lifestyle involves a lot of risky behavior and confrontation
But I've been talkin' to Jesus every day
Despite my ways, I believe in and seek guidance from a higher power
And I got this girl back home I call my wife
I have someone who loves and supports me despite my unconventional lifestyle
If you ever met her, I swear she would change your life
My wife is a positive influence and can inspire others
She's gotta little wild streak in her heart
My wife shares my free-spirited and adventurous nature
But she's been saying hallelujah every day
Despite her nature, my wife is also spiritual and religious
I got my gypsy soul to bear, amen
I embrace and accept my unconventional, wandering spirit
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAT GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind