18 June 1944, Jasper, Alabama, USA. As a teenager Posey moved to west Memph… Read Full Bio ↴18 June 1944, Jasper, Alabama, USA. As a teenager Posey moved to west Memphis where she embarked on a career as a studio session singer. Her contributions to innumerable records impressed producer Chips Moman, who encouraged the artist as both a songwriter and performer. Posey's debut single, "Born A Woman", reached number 12 in the US charts in 1966, while its pithy lyric - "If you're born a woman, you're born to be hurt" - brought a new maturity to the often maudlin approach common to female country singers. "Single Girl", its equally accomplished follow-up, scaled the UK and US Top 20s, before "What A Woman In Love Won't Do", "I Take It Back" and "Are You Never Coming Home" (all 1967) continued her run of success. Posey was one of several singers backing Elvis Presley when he undertook sessions at Moman's American studios. She was featured on "Mama Liked The Roses', and also appeared with the singer during his first Las Vegas engagement in 1969. However, while retaining a popularity within the country market, Posey's distinctive approach as a solo act latterly proved too specialized for pop. She released albums for Columbia Records, Monument Records and Warner Brothers Records, charting for the last time with 1979"s "Love Is Sometimes Easy". After releasing an independent album in 1983, Posey concentrated on session work.

Hey Mister
Sandy Posey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mister, Mister have you got a dime
I wanna call my Mother down in Caroline
A ramblin' man took advantage of me
He said he'd show me the bright city lights
He took my love and then he was gone
And now I'm stranded in the Windy City
Oh Mister, Mister would you take the time
To give me some direction to the nearest welfare line

Oh Lord, how I wanna go home
I need the love of my family
Dig down in the depth of your heart
Please Mister, have pity on me

Mister, hey Mister, can't ya spare me one thin dime
I gotta talk to Mother, dear Mother, down in Carolina
A ramblin' man done took advantage of me
He said he'd show me the bright city lights
He took my love and then he was gone

And now I'm stranded in the Windy City
Oh

Overall Meaning

, Mr., Mr., won't ya lend me a hand
And tell me how to find my way back home again

Sandy Posey's song "Hey Mister" tells the story of a young woman who's been taken advantage of by a "ramblin' man." She is alone and stranded in Chicago, far away from her home and family in Carolina. She approaches a man on the street, asking for help in finding her way to the nearest welfare line, hoping to find some assistance to get her back home. She begs for a dime to make a phone call to her mother, in tears and desperate for help. Throughout the song, she expresses her longing to return home to her family, as they are the only ones who can offer her the love and support she needs to recover from her trauma.

The lyrics are emotional and heart-wrenching, telling a familiar story of a young woman who trusted the wrong person and is now alone and vulnerable. The song reflects the loneliness and desperation that comes with being in a strange place, far away from home and the people who love and support us. The lyrics also speak to the importance of having a strong support network and the devastating impact of losing that support in times of need.

Line by Line Meaning

Mister, Mister have you got a dime
The singer is seeking monetary help to call her mother.

I wanna call my Mother down in Caroline
The singer desires to call her mother at her home in Caroline.

A ramblin' man took advantage of me
The singer was exploited by a wandering man.

He said he'd show me the bright city lights
The man who took advantage of the artist offered to introduce her to the city's nightlife.

He took my love and then he was gone
The man who exploited the artist manipulated her emotions and subsequently abandoned her.

And now I'm stranded in the Windy City
The singer is trapped and lost in a strange and unfamiliar city.

Oh Mister, Mister would you take the time
The singer is pleading for someone to aid her in finding help.

To give me some direction to the nearest welfare line
The artist requests guidance to the nearest welfare center.

Oh Lord, how I wanna go home
The artist yearns to return to her hometown.

I need the love of my family
The artist longs for the affection of her loved ones.

Dig down in the depth of your heart
The singer is urging the person to look deep within their conscience.

Please Mister, have pity on me
The artist is imploring the person to show her compassion.

Mister, hey Mister, can't ya spare me one thin dime
The singer is asking for a small amount of money to place a phone call to her mother.

I gotta talk to Mother, dear Mother, down in Carolina
The singer needs to communicate with her mother who lives in Carolina.

Oh Mister, I'm lost, can you guide me back on track
The singer is lost and needs guidance to navigate the city.

Please, kind sir, can you help me find my way to some assistance
The artist is asking for help in finding resources.

My heart aches, the longing to return to my roots so strong
The artist deeply yearns to go back to her original place of origin.

I implore you, search deep within yourself
The singer asks the person to think hard and find the humanity within themselves.

Have mercy on me, a vulnerable woman in need
The singer appeals for compassion as a woman in desperation.

Mister, kind sir, if you can spare even the smallest coin
The artist pleads for a tiny sum of money.

I desperately need to reach my Mama back home in Carolina
The artist feels an overwhelming need to call her mother who lives in Carolina.

He led me on, took advantage of me, and ran away
The man who deceived the artist took advantage of her and then absconded.

Now I'm stuck in Chicago without a plan or hope
The singer is stuck in Chicago with no idea of what to do next.

Oh please, have compassion and show me some kindness.
The artist is requesting kindness and benevolence from the person addressed.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN PENN, SPOONER OLDHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

J W

3y↑3

Mister, Mister have you got a dime?
I wanna call my mother down in Caroline

A ramblin' man took advantage of me
He said he'd show me the bright city lights
He took my love and then he was gone
And now I'm stranded in the Windy City

Oh Mister, Mister would you take the time
To give me some directions to the nearest welfare line?

Oh Lord, how I wanna go home
I need the love of my family
Dig down in the depth of your heart
Please Mister, have pity on me

Mister, hey Mister, can't ya spare me one thin dime?
I gotta talk to Mother, dear Mother, down in Carolina

A ramblin' man done took advantage of me
He said he'd show me the bright city lights
He took my love and then he was gone

All comments from YouTube:

Dave M.

10y↑3

I racked my brain for many, many, many, months trying to remember who did this song, I knew the name, but could not remember the artist...I just LOVE this song, I was 15-16 at the time...and remember the words, most of them, even now...peace Sandy and thank you for all of your great music....