Ballad Of Billy Jo McKay
Shawn Mullins Lyrics

My name's Billy Jo McKay
Introducing the singer, revealing his identity.

I just turned 16 yesterday
The singer has just turned 16 years old, marking the beginning of his young adulthood.

I'm gonna get the nerve one day to get outta here
The singer lacks courage, but longs to leave his familiar surroundings and strike out on his own.

My ma passed on 3 years ago, they said it was cancer and it took her slow
The artist's mother passed away from a long battle with cancer three years prior to the present time.

And ever since then I've been sayin' no to my daddy and my tears
The artist's grief over his mother's passing has led him to resist his father's authority and feel emotional pain.

Now when you come down our road
The singer is directing the conversation to an imagined audience, indicating they are approaching his home.

You gotta watch the bump right there across from the garbage dump
The singer is giving instructions on navigating the road, warning about a rough patch across from the dump.

You can find me out back
The artist is indicating where to locate him on his property.

Jumpin' on the trampoline
The artist is describing a favorite activity of his, one that brings him joy and diversion.

And in the springtime
The artist is indicating the time of year when he performs a specific action.

We'll be skippin' scholl
The singer is saying that he and his friend Darlene will skip school in the springtime.

We sneak off to the Cantrell's swimming pool
The artist is revealing where he and Darlene go when they skip school, showing a mischievous side.

Man, you can't get much cooler than me and my friend Darlene
The singer is boasting about how cool he and Darlene are, expressing pride in their friendship.

Now my grandaddy's hands are worn from 50 years of growin' corn
The singer is acknowledging the hard work and toil of his grandfather's lifelong occupation.

Back behind the house where I was born before he had to sell
The singer is describing his grandfather's land and home, revealing it was sold at some point.

And my cousin Eddie, He got shot in the Walmart parkin' lot
The artist's cousin Eddie was shot and wounded while in the parking lot of a Walmart store.

Yeah this little town's changed a lot
The artist is commenting on how much his town has changed from how he remembered it in his past.

He said it hurt like hell
The singer's cousin Eddie experienced great pain after being shot, which the singer relays to the audience.

My name's Billy Jo McKay
Repeating his introduction, the singer continues to focus on himself as the primary subject.

It's a hot Mississippi summer Saturday
The artist is recounting the specific day and weather conditions during his story.

Daddy's on the front porch with Uncle Dave drinkin' dixie beer
The artist's father and uncle are drinking beer on the front porch, likely a common pastime for them.

16 years of being bored
The artist feels like he has been stuck in a state of boredom for far too long.

My window's open, forget the door
The singer has opened his window, indicating his intention to sneak out of his home without informing his father.

Hope there's some gas in the Old man's ford cause I'm outta here
The artist is determined to leave his home and town, indicating his only hope is that his father's car has enough gas for him to escape.

I'm outta here, I'm outta here
Repeating the phrase, the singer enforces his strong desire to leave.

Maybe I'll go down to biloxi
The singer is contemplating a possible destination for his escape.

Or maybe to new orleans
Another potential destination the singer is considering for his escape.

Or maybe hotlanta
A third possible destination the artist is pondering as a place to go.