Burns's career began in the Connecticut and New York folk coffee house scene of the mid-1960s, including New Haven's Exit and Greenwich Village's Gaslight. From a start covering traditional material and songs by writers including Eric Andersen and Tom Ghent, he soon moved on to his own song-writing and to fronting bands called "The Morning" and Randy Burns and the Sky Dog Band. He recorded for ESP, Mercury and Polydor in the late '60s and early '70s.
In the late 1970s, Burns relocated to Dublin, Ireland, for two years, continuing to perform in bars. After returning to the US, he released the cassette-only album The Cat's Pajamas in 1991 on his own Picket Fence label.
He began performing again in 2009, and released an album, The Simple Things. This was followed, in 2010, by Hobos and Kings.
Website: RandyBurns.net
Thirsty Boots
Randy Burns Lyrics
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From dirty words and muddy cells your clothes are soiled and stained
But the dirty words and the mud of cells will soon be judged insane
So only stop and rest yourself and you'll be off again
Oh take off your thirsty boots
And stay for awhile
Your feet are hot and weary from a dusty mile
And maybe I can try
Lookin' for the evenin'
And the mornin' in your eyes
Then tell me of the ones you saw
As far as you could see
Across the plains from field to town
Marchin' to be free
And of the rusted prison gates that tumble by degree
Like laughing children one by one
They look like you and me
So take off your thirsty boots and stay for awhile
Your feet are hot and weary from a dusty mile
And maybe I can make you laugh and maybe I can try
Just lookin' for the evenin' and the mornin' in your eyes
I know you are no stranger down the crooked rainbow trial
From dancing cliff edge shattered sills to slander shackled jails
Where the voices drift up from below as walls are bein' scaled
Yes all of this and more my friend your song shall not be failed
Oh take off your thirsty boots and stay for awhile
Your feet are hot and weary, from a dusty mile
And maybe I can make you laugh, and maybe I can try
Just lookin for the evenin' and the mornin' in your eyes
So take off your thirsty boots and stay for awhile
Your feet are hot and weary from a dusty mile
And maybe I can make you laugh and maybe I can try
Lookin' for the evenin' and the mornin' in your eyes
The lyrics of Randy Burns's song Thirsty Boots are a reflection of the experiences of someone who has been on the road for a long time. The person has been through a lot of hardships, including sleeping in the rain, being exposed to dirty words, and living in muddy cells. Though the person's clothes are soiled and stained, the lyrics point out that the dirt and mud they have been exposed to will soon be judged insane.
The song's chorus urges the person to take off their thirsty boots and rest for a while because their feet are hot and weary from traveling dusty roads. The singer of the song wants to make the person laugh and engage them in conversation, perhaps to provide some comfort or lighten their mood. The lyrics also make reference to the people the person saw across the plains marching to be free, and the rusted prison gates that tumble by degree. The singer equates these people with the person they are talking to, suggesting that they have experienced similar hardships.
The song is ultimately about the resilience of human spirit and the power of hope. Despite the hardships, the person being addressed in the song continues to move forward on their journey, looking for the evenin’ and the mornin' in their eyes. The singer encourages the person to rest and take off their thirsty boots, confident that they will soon be back on the road, and that their song shall not be failed.
Line by Line Meaning
You've long been on the open road you've been sleepin' in the rain
You've been traveling for a long time and have been forced to sleep outside in the rain
From dirty words and muddy cells your clothes are soiled and stained
Your experiences have left you emotionally scarred and physically dirty
But the dirty words and the mud of cells will soon be judged insane
The experiences that have caused you pain and suffering will someday be recognized as unjust and wrong
So only stop and rest yourself and you'll be off again
Give yourself a break and then continue your journey
Oh take off your thirsty boots
Take a break from your travels
And stay for awhile
Take some time to relax
Your feet are hot and weary from a dusty mile
Your body and mind are tired from your journey
And maybe I can make you laugh
Perhaps I can provide some entertainment and joy for you
And maybe I can try
I'll do my best to lift your spirits
Lookin' for the evenin'
Searching for a break from the hardships of the day
And the mornin' in your eyes
Finding hope for the future in your expression and attitude
Then tell me of the ones you saw
Share your experiences and observations with me
As far as you could see
From your perspective and vantage point
Across the plains from field to town
From the countryside to populated areas
Marchin' to be free
Working together towards freedom and liberation
And of the rusted prison gates that tumble by degree
The physical and metaphorical barriers that oppress and isolate people are slowly being broken down
Like laughing children one by one
Foolish and unnecessary barriers are being dismantled in a playful and joyful way
They look like you and me
All people are affected by injustice and can work together to overcome it
I know you are no stranger down the crooked rainbow trial
You've faced many difficult challenges and obstacles in your life
From dancing cliff edge shattered sills to slander shackled jails
You've experienced a wide range of emotional and physical hardships
Where the voices drift up from below as walls are bein' scaled
Despite barriers, people are still fighting for freedom and their voices are being heard
Yes all of this and more my friend your song shall not be failed
You are a survivor and your story will continue to be told and remembered
So take off your thirsty boots and stay for awhile
Take some time to rest and recharge
And maybe I can make you laugh and maybe I can try
I will do my best to bring joy and positivity into your life
Lookin' for the evenin' and the mornin' in your eyes
Finding hope and optimism for the future in your expression and disposition
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC ANDERSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind