Slaid Cleaves’ music is marked by both the quirky blend of isolated eccentricity and steely resilience of his Yankee upbringing and the weathered soul of Texas, the state he has called home for over a decade now. First registering on the national folk scene by winning the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk competition in 1992, Cleaves released his national debut No Angel Knows (Philo/Rounder) in 1997, following a string of self-released albums and many nights logged in folk clubs as both a performer and a soundman. Met with effusive critical praise, No Angel Knows was followed by Broke Down (Philo/Rounder) in 2000, which expanded his audience exponentially by virtue of its exceedingly well-crafted songs and rugged Gurf Morlix production. In addition to the title track, a Rod Picott collaboration that won Song of the Year at the Austin Music Awards in 2001, Broke Down featured a couple of interpretations of other writers’ songs prefiguring Slaid’s later work, including a poignant reading of fellow Austinite Karen Poston’s “Lydia.”
Following Broke Down came 2004’s Wishbones (Philo/Rounder), a richly detailed exploration of life’s darker corners where still a ray of hope somehow shines. Wishbones climbed to the top of the Americana Radio chart coming in at #1 for 2004 while Slaid toured relentlessly promoting the album. It was after the recording of Wishbones that Cleaves began to consider the endeavor that became Unsung. “Over the years,” Cleaves explains, “as I grew as a songwriter, my songs began to make up the bulk of my sets. But I continued to throw in the odd song by a hero or friend, both in my shows and on the records I made. I did that partly out of tribute to my influences, but also to give my set, or album, some context and some variety.” These are songs from the songwriter trenches – compositions Cleaves first heard at late-night song-swaps, open-mic nights, during downtime at recording sessions, and on modest self-released CDs. Thanks to the work of producers David Henry and Rod Picott (a long-time Cleaves cohort and fellow Mainer), the performances and backdrops on Unsung are as evocative and captivating as the songs themselves. Cleaves’ gifts as an interpreter are such that the line between singer and song vanish completely.
"Cleaves tells gorgeously compact stories in a voice packed with Texas trail dust." -- Entertainment Weekly
"...one of the finest singer-songwriters in Texas." -- Neil Strauss, The New York Times
Horses And Divorces
Slaid Cleaves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He had a short cigar and one last match
He was tellin' me 'bout his latest troubles with the government
He had child support and alimony
He was looking depressed and kinda lonely
Just tryin' to figure out where all his hard-earned money went
"I got nothing but a Ford and a barn full of hay
If it weren't for horses and divorces
I'd be a lot better off today"
Well, I said, "Willie, that sounds like a song"
He said, "Son, you know you may not be all wrong
Could you give me a little piece of the pie if you make it a hit?
I got a '51 Ford I'd like to fix up, I got two sick ponies and one sick pup
And my third wife's coming today to take my TV set"
"Well I'll be go to Hell", he said
"I got nothing but a Ford and a barn full of hay
If it weren't for horses and divorces
I'd be a lot better off today"
Well, God bless poor old Willie McCann
You know he's always been a good hard working man
He bought me a beer last night down at the 'Lost and Found'
He said, "Horses and women are fine sure 'nuff
But if you don't treat 'em right things are gonna get rough
Believe me, I've got these four year marriages down"
"Well I'll be go to Hell," he said
"I got nothing but a Ford and a barn full of hay
If it weren't for horses and divorces
I'd have a lot more money and less gray hair
I might even be a millionaire
If it weren't for horses and divorces
I'd be a lot better off today"
Slaid Cleaves’ song “Horses and Divorces” is a reflective piece on the struggles of a man named Willie McCann, who has had a series of difficulties with the government. Willie is a hard-working man, who despite his hard labors, unfortunately, finds himself with little rewards to show for it. He has to deal with child support, alimony, and a lack of available finances. As much as he loves horses, and is determined to keep them, he speculates that if it wasn't for his love for horses and marriages that do not work out, he would have been better off financially.
Cleaves' song reveals the vulnerability of the human ego and offers insight into the harsh reality of life. It portrays a man consumed with the hopes of becoming a millionaire someday, showcasing the idea that money cannot buy everything, especially not happiness. The song's melancholic tone sets the mood, making it apparent that poor Willie's charm is not enough to alleviate his struggles.
In conclusion, “Horses and Divorces” illustrates that despite how straightforward country folk may appear, they still possess a sense of emotional depth and vulnerability. Willie, despite his initial demeanor, is confronted with hardships in life that are common to many, leaving the audience with lessons on the dire need to prioritize relationships and manage their finances well.
Line by Line Meaning
I met Willie by the still, he was brewin' a batch
The singer encounters Willie while he's making moonshine
He had a short cigar and one last match
Willie is smoking a cigar and has only one match left
He was tellin' me 'bout his latest troubles with the government
Willie is explaining his problems with the government to the singer
He had child support and alimony
Willie has to pay both child support and alimony to his ex-wives
He was looking depressed and kinda lonely
Willie seems sad and lonely
Just tryin' to figure out where all his hard-earned money went
Willie is struggling to understand where his money is going
"Well, I'll be go to Hell", he said
Willie exclaims in surprise
"I got nothing but a Ford and a barn full of hay
Willie complains about his lack of material possessions
If it weren't for horses and divorces
Willie attributes his financial problems to divorces and his love for horses
I'd be a lot better off today"
Willie believes his life would be better if he had avoided divorces and horses
"Well, I said, "Willie, that sounds like a song"
The singer thinks Willie has the makings of a good song
He said, "Son, you know you may not be all wrong
Willie agrees that the artist's suggestion is a good idea
Could you give me a little piece of the pie if you make it a hit?
Willie asks for a share of the profit if the song is successful
I got a '51 Ford I'd like to fix up, I got two sick ponies and one sick pup
Willie lists some of the things he would like to do with the money from the song
And my third wife's coming today to take my TV set"
Willie mentions another source of marital strife
"Well I'll be go to Hell", he said
Willie is again surprised
"I got nothing but a Ford and a barn full of hay
Willie reiterates his lack of possessions
If it weren't for horses and divorces
Willie repeats his belief that horses and divorces are to blame for his problems
I'd be a lot better off today"
Willie reiterates that his life would be better without horses and divorces
Well, God bless poor old Willie McCann
The artist wishes blessings upon Willie
You know he's always been a good hard working man
The artist praises Willie's work ethic
He bought me a beer last night down at the 'Lost and Found'
Willie recently treated the artist to a beer
He said, "Horses and women are fine sure 'nuff
Willie views horses and women as generally good things
But if you don't treat 'em right things are gonna get rough
Willie warns that things can go wrong if they aren't treated well
Believe me, I've got these four year marriages down"
Willie claims expertise in short-lived marriages
"Well I'll be go to Hell," he said
Willie is once again surprised
"I got nothing but a Ford and a barn full of hay
Willie continues to bemoan his lack of possessions
If it weren't for horses and divorces
Willie yet again blames horses and divorces for his financial troubles
I'd have a lot more money and less gray hair
Willie believes he would have more money and less stress if not for horses and divorces
I might even be a millionaire
Willie imagines what could have been
If it weren't for horses and divorces
Willie once again blames horses and divorces for his financial problems
I'd be a lot better off today"
Willie reiterates his belief that his life would be better without horses and divorces
Contributed by Stella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tim Flick
This is such a great song, and the great story he tells with it when he performs it live only makes it better.
ROWDY NATION18
They play this at tractor supply where I work. After hearing it 20 times a day you get burnt out on it.
Hunter Nichols
@Syd Shu Best country song ever 😂
Syd Shu
@EowynKit I HONESTLY LOVE THE MY DOG SONG ITS SO CUTE AND STUPID
Syd Shu
I hear it at the one I work at too, it doesn’t come on that often though
nathan guajardo
I may firmly agree to that
Sean Baker
Lol that's what brought me here.😁
Heropsychodream
Not often you hear yodeling anymore.
TotteryFlyer 29
Hank III
Corb Lund
And Slaid
are the only three I can think of who yodel
Marc Miner
Hey, amazing vids! I'm pretty sure you will enjoy my vid, so check it out and leave a comment! Wish you a great day! Best, Marc