Rodney's Song
Roy Buchanan Lyrics


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Well she walked into the bar
And she looked dead at me
She was with some other man
But I said she'd rather be free

Now that crazy little woman
She got next to me that night
I had to control myself
I almost started a fight

But I got by
Woah yes I did
Said I got by
Now listen

She was sittin' with her man
When the band was beginnin' to wail
He was playin' such a fool
I knew I could not fail, now

I'm not the kind of mule
To go kickin' in another man's stall
But why should a woman be sittin' around
When she could be havin' a ball

I had to get by
Woah, yeah
I had to get by
Woah, yes I did

Her old man passed out
And then I made my move
I walked on up, set myself down
And we began to groove

When she told me that she wanted
She wanted to be with me
I bought her man two more drinks
And people, I was home free

And I got by
Woah, yeah




Well, I got by
Oh, yes I did

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Roy Buchanan's "Rodney's Song" tell a story about a woman who catches the attention of the singer while she is out with another man at a bar. He is tempted to start a fight but ultimately manages to control himself. As the band starts playing, the woman's partner is acting a fool, making it clear to the singer that the woman would rather be with him. He hesitates, not wanting to cross a boundary, but ultimately decides to approach the woman after her partner passes out. They begin to dance and connect, and she expresses a desire to be with him. In an act of generosity, the singer buys the now-intoxicated partner two more drinks, freeing himself to be with the woman. The song's story is one of passion, temptation, and ultimately, seizing the moment without causing harm to others.


Line by Line Meaning

Well she walked into the bar
A woman entered the bar


And she looked dead at me
She stared at me directly


She was with some other man
She came to the bar accompanied by someone else


But I said she'd rather be free
I believed she didn't want to be with him


Now that crazy little woman
I referred to her as an unpredictable person


She got next to me that night
She came closer to me


I had to control myself
I needed to restrain my emotions


I almost started a fight
I nearly engaged in a physical altercation with someone


But I got by
I managed to avoid trouble


Woah yes I did
I did it successfully


Said I got by
I affirm that I avoided any conflict


Now listen
I'm about to share a critical part of the story


She was sittin' with her man
She was sitting with her companion


When the band was beginnin' to wail
Musicians started to perform


He was playin' such a fool
The man she was with made a fool out of himself


I knew I could not fail, now
I was confident I could win her over


I'm not the kind of mule
I don't behave like a stubborn and stupid animal


To go kickin' in another man's stall
I don't intrude in other people's affairs


But why should a woman be sittin' around
I questioned the woman's choice to be idle


When she could be havin' a ball
I suggested she'd have a better time with me


I had to get by
I had to succeed


Woah, yeah
I felt enthusiastic


I had to get by
I had to prevail and achieve my goal


Woah, yes I did
I managed to succeed


Her old man passed out
The man she was with became unconscious


And then I made my move
I acted when the opportunity arose


I walked on up, set myself down
I walked towards her and sat down


And we began to groove
We started to dance and enjoy the music together


When she told me that she wanted
She expressed her desire to me


She wanted to be with me
She desired my company


I bought her man two more drinks
I ordered more drinks for the man she was with


And people, I was home free
I was free to do as I pleased without any hindrance


And I got by
I succeeded in achieving my goal


Woah, yeah
I felt triumphant


Well, I got by
I succeeded in what I wanted to do


Oh, yes I did
I did accomplish what I aimed for




Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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