The Front Porch Song
Robert Earl Keen Lyrics

This old porch is a big ol' red and white Herford bull
The porch is a strong and sturdy structure, just like a bull.

Standin' under a mesquite tree in Agua Dulce, Texas
The porch is located in a specific place in Agua Dulce, Texas.

He keeps on playin' hide and seek with that hot august sun
The porch provides some relief from the hot August sun.

Sweatin' and a pantin' cause his work is never done
The porch requires maintenance and upkeep just like a bull, which can be tiring.

Oh no, with those cows and a red top cane
The porch is surrounded by cows and a red top cane, adding to the rural ambiance.

This old porch is a steamin' greasy plate of enchiladas
The porch is a place to enjoy a hot plate of enchiladas.

With lots of cheese and onions ans a guacamole salad
The porch comes with some delicious toppings to enjoy with the enchiladas.

You can get them at the LaSalle Hotel in old downtown
The porch is located near a hotel in the old downtown area where patrons can enjoy these delicious enchiladas.

With ice tea and a waitress who will smile every time
The porch also comes with some ice tea and friendly service from the waitress.

Oh yeah, I left a quarter tip on my ten dollar bill
The artist left a small but generous tip for the waitress after enjoying the porch's delicious food.

This old porch is a palace walk in on a main street in Texas
The porch is a grand and impressive structure, just like a palace.

It ain't never seen or heard the days of G's and R's and X's
The porch is old-fashioned and doesn't fit in with modern culture (e.g. slang terms).

And that '62 poster that's almost faded down
The porch has a vintage '62 poster that has faded over time.

And a screen without a picture since Giant came to town
The porch has an old screen that doesn't work since the classic movie 'Giant' was released.

Oh no, I like those junior mints and the red hots too, yes I do
The singer enjoys some junior mints and red hots while hanging out on the porch.

This old porch is like a weathered grey haired seventy years of Texas
The porch is like an old Texan man who has seen many years and experiences.

Who?s doin' all he can not to give in to the city
The porch is resisting being taken over by the city and sticking with its rural roots.

And he always takes my rent late so long as I run his cattle
The owner of the porch allows the singer to pay rent late, as long as he helps take care of the cattle.

He picks me up at dinner time and I listen to him rattle
The owner of the porch picks the singer up for dinner and they have conversations together.

He says the Brazos still runs muddy like she's run all along
The owner of the porch comments on the Brazos river, which still runs muddy as usual.

There?s never been no cane to grind and the cotton's all but gone
The area around the porch has never had any sugar cane to grind and the cotton industry has declined.

You know this Chevrolet pickup truck, hell she was somethin' back in '60
The porch owner reminisces about a Chevrolet pickup truck that used to be a big deal in the 1960s.

But now there won't nobody listen to him 'cause they all think he's crazy
The porch owner feels like nobody listens to him anymore because people think he's crazy.

This old porch is just a long time of waiting and forgetting
The porch represents a long history of waiting and forgetting about the past.

Remembering the coming back and not crying about the leaving
The porch reminds the singer to think about coming back, not leaving, and not being too emotional about it.

And remembering the falling down and the laughter of the curse of luck
The porch also reminds the singer of the past incidents of failure, but also the laughter that comes with bad luck.

From all those son's of bitches who said we'd never get back up
The curse of bad luck and falling down comes from all the doubters who said they wouldn't succeed.

This old porch is a big old red and white Herford bull
The porch is once again compared to a strong and sturdy bull.

Standing under a mesquite tree out in Agua Dulce
The porch is still located under a mesquite tree in Agua Dulce.

He keep's on playing hide and seek with that hot August sun
The porch is still providing some relief from the hot August sun.

He?s sweating and a panting 'cause his work is never done
The porch still requires some maintenance and upkeep, which can be tiring.