Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Comin' After Jenny
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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His head thrown back and his guns tied low
He's comin' after Jinny wants to take her away but I ain't gonna let her go
Oh he boasted in town but she loved him he said she'd be his with the sun
He said anyone try to stop him would be just one more notch on his gun
They say that he's headstrong and handsome his hair's blowin' wild and free
And they got a hold I ain't comin' cause he's a lot younger than me
He hasn't had much education he ain't worked a day in his life
He's livin' with some older woman they say she's another man's wife
But she wants him needs him and loves him she buys him his clothes and his meals
When she finds he's gone she'll be prayin' and Lord I know just how she feels
Because he's comin' down the road...
The sun's at his back as he's comin' the smile is cruel on his lip
His right hand is slowly descendin' to the sixgun that rest on his hip
Then his lower lip strated tremble and he started cryin' as he looked up at me
And I picked him up I said son you're only four years old
And you know Jinny's only three
So come on in the house and have some cookies and milk
And he did and the tears turned to smiles
And I called up his mama I drove him home
And Jinny's safe at least for a little while
The song "Comin' After Jenny" by Shel Silverstein tells the story of a young girl named Jenny who is being pursued by a man who wants to take her away from her loved ones. The singer of the song, who is an older man, is determined to protect Jenny from the man's advances. The man is described as being headstrong and handsome, with a wild and free appearance. Despite his reputation and apparent attraction to Jenny, the singer refuses to let her go, standing between the man and the child.
The lyrics describe the man's approach as he rides toward Jenny's home with the sun at his back. The singer describes the look on his face as being cruel, indicating perhaps that he knows the man's intentions are not pure. As he reaches for his gun, the younger man begins to cry, revealing that he himself is only four years old. The singer comforts him, offering him cookies and milk and driving him home to his mother. Meanwhile, Jenny remains safe for now, at least for a little while.
The song highlights themes of love, protection, and the importance of family. It also touches on the dangers of pursuing someone who does not want to be taken, and how this can ultimately lead to a sense of sadness and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
He'll be comin' down the road at the break of day
A man is coming down the road early in the morning
His head thrown back and his guns tied low
He has his head held back and his guns are tied low
He's comin' after Jinny wants to take her away but I ain't gonna let her go
He is trying to take Jinny away from the singer but the singer won't let him
Oh he boasted in town but she loved him he said she'd be his with the sun
He talked about it in town and she loved him; he said she would be his when the sun rises
He said anyone try to stop him would be just one more notch on his gun
He said anyone who tries to stop him will just be another person he has defeated
They say that he's headstrong and handsome his hair's blowin' wild and free
People say he is confident and attractive, with wild, free-flowing hair
And they got a hold I ain't comin' cause he's a lot younger than me
The singer won't get involved because the man is much younger than him
And he'll be comin' down the road...
He is still coming down the road
He hasn't had much education he ain't worked a day in his life
He hasn't had much education and has never worked a day in his life
He's livin' with some older woman they say she's another man's wife
He is living with an older woman who is rumored to be married to another man
But she wants him needs him and loves him she buys him his clothes and his meals
She wants, needs, and loves him so she buys him clothing and food
When she finds he's gone she'll be prayin' and Lord I know just how she feels
When she realizes he is gone, she will pray and the artist understands how she feels
Because he's comin' down the road...
He is still coming down the road
The sun's at his back as he's comin' the smile is cruel on his lip
The sun is behind him as he approaches, with a cruel smile on his lips
His right hand is slowly descendin' to the sixgun that rest on his hip
His right hand is moving toward the gun on his hip
Then his lower lip strated tremble and he started cryin' as he looked up at me
He starts to shake and cry while looking up at the artist
And I picked him up I said son you're only four years old
The artist picks him up and explains that he is only four years old
And you know Jinny's only three
The singer reminds him that Jinny is only three years old
So come on in the house and have some cookies and milk
The singer invites him into his house to have some cookies and milk
And he did and the tears turned to smiles
He accepts the invitation and his tears turn into smiles
And I called up his mama I drove him home
The artist calls his mother and drives him home
And Jinny's safe at least for a little while
Jinny is safe, but only temporarily
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind