A Satisfied Mind
Porter Wagoner Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How many times have you heard someone say
"If I had his money, I could do things my way?"
But little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind

Once I was wading in fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game
But suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind

Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind

When life has ended, my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones, I'll leave, there's no doubt




But there's one thing for certain, when it comes my time
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind

Overall Meaning

The song "A Satisfied Mind" by Porter Wagoner is a commentary on the nature of human desire and what truly brings happiness in life. The lyrics begin by pointing out the common misconception that having money is the key to living life on your own terms. However, the songwriter notes that being rich does not guarantee happiness or inner peace. In fact, it is rare to find a rich man who is truly content with his life.


The second verse describes how the songwriter experienced a significant setback in his financial fortunes, losing everything he had. However, despite this setback, he expresses that he is "richer by far" because he has discovered contentment within himself. The final verses point out that money cannot buy everything that truly matters in life, such as love, friendship, and a sense of purpose. Our material possessions and financial status do not determine our happiness, and at the end of our lives, it is the satisfaction with how we lived that truly matters.


Overall, the song's message is a reminder that true satisfaction and fulfillment come from within, regardless of one's external circumstances. The lyrics serve as a poignant reminder to the listener to focus on cultivating a sense of internal peace and satisfaction, rather than constantly striving for more wealth or possessions.


Line by Line Meaning

How many times have you heard someone say
Have you ever heard someone say, 'if I had a lot of money, I'd be so much happier'?


"If I had his money, I could do things my way?"
People often say that they would do things differently if they were wealthy like a certain person.


But little they know that it's so hard to find
Many people don't realize that there are very few rich people who are truly happy.


One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Only one out of every ten wealthy people has a contented mind.


Once I was wading in fortune and fame
I once had a lot of money and was very famous.


Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game
I had everything I could possibly want to start a successful life.


But suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
However, all of a sudden, I lost all my money.


But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind
But I still feel wealthy because I have a contented mind.


Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Money cannot make you young again when you are old.


Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold
Money cannot bring you friends when you are lonely or rekindle a love that has faded away.


The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Even the richest of people can feel poor at certain moments in life.


Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When compared to someone who has a contented mind, wealth seems less important.


When life has ended, my time has run out
When my time on earth is finished and my life has come to an end.


My friends and my loved ones, I'll leave, there's no doubt
At that time, I will leave behind my loved ones, there is no question about it.


But there's one thing for certain, when it comes my time
But one thing that is for sure is that when my time comes to an end.


I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
I will be content knowing that I enjoyed my life and did not focus solely on wealth.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Red Hays, Jack Rhodes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@VishalTiwari291

LYRICS
LISTEN
OTHER RECORDINGS
PEOPLE ALSO SEARCH FOR
Lyrics



How many times have
You heard someone say
If I had his money
I could do things my way
But little they know
That it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten
With a satisfied mind
Once I was waitin'
In fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for
To get a start in life's game
Then suddenly it happened
I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far
With a satisfied mind
Money can't buy back
Your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely
Or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person
Is a pauper at times
Compared to the man
With a satisfied mind
When my life has ended
And my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones
I'll leave there's…



All comments from YouTube:

@matthewgordon9757

I just got back from Nashville today. Went to see a show last night, but also wanted to stop by Porter's grave. I discovered his music maybe four years ago by accident, and I experienced a connection with him and his songs and his voice that I still can't explain. I found his grave marker, and felt compelled to sing this song there. I had already started weeping. It's been a cold, dark couple of days, sun starts going down at five and overcast all weekend. A few seconds after I start singing, the sun shoots out bright and warm on my right shoulder through the clouds for the first time that weekend, sunbeams all around, like a hand on my shoulder. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

@brianfischer149

Thank you for sharing !

@richardskola3570

Thanks to Youtube, I can enjoy truly good music anytime.

@marcusperry9481

I've been living in Nashville for 10 years now. I also discovered Porter's music some years ago and it connected with me in the same way. There is a deep wisdom about Nashville that is very hard to explain, and somehow that wisdom is connected sonically on these old records. Thank you for your comment; it gave me confirmation that I'm not alone in an unexplainable connection to wisdom in this art form.

@robertcrabtree3698

@Marcus Perry you're welcome Marcus I love that song satisfied mind and it's so true

@boyoboyo704

Live it love it.

1 More Replies...

@starstray4326

“If I had his money I could do things my way” this hits the spot. So tired of people telling me I need their money. I’d like to have kids one day I want them clothed and fed with the smart choices I make to provide for them. I needed this song today. God bless to anyone reading this.

@PLATINUM_KILLER7798

God bless you 🙏

@reikaratnam

There's a huge difference between wants and needs. God blesses everyone but not many appreciate the little/simple things in life.

@windsong1a

My Dad had a various artist country record when I was a child that had this song and about 20 other old classics. THIS is one that stood out in my
memory. Later, as a teen of the 70's, I got into all the pop music that teens get into to and forgot about this kind of music Now, as a 60 year old
I go back and hear this and it just gives me chills. It reconnects me with my childhood, my aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. I've listened to just about
every other singer on youtube that covered this and for me, none of them live up to Porter's version. I love the close harmonies the others lack.
I'm reminded of a line from an old Mel Tillis song, "When were young we want to get away... when we're old we want to go back." How true.

More Comments

More Versions