Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
Cool Water
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without the taste of water, cool water
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water, cool, clear water
[Chorus]
Keep a-movin', Dan, don't you listen to him, Dan
He's a devil not a man
Dan can you see that big green tree
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waiting there for you and me
The nights are cool and I'm a fool
Each star's a pool of water, cool water
But with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
And carry on to water, cool, clear, water
The shadows sway and seem to say
Tonight we pray for water, cool, water
And way up there He'll hear our prayer
And show us where there's water, cool, clear, water
Dan's feet are sore he's yearning for
Just one thing more than water, cool, water
Like me I guess he'd like to rest
Where there's no quest for water, cool, clear, water
The song "Cool Water" by Slim Whitman is a classic country ballad about a cowboy and his trusty horse, Dan, facing a harsh journey across the desert with no water. The opening lyrics set the tone for the song, as the cowboy laments their predicament of not having any water to quench their thirst. The chorus, with its catchy melody, urges Dan to keep moving, ignoring the devil that's trying to discourage them, and to head towards a big green tree where there's water. The lyrics suggest that the cowboy and Dan have been traveling in the heat of the day and are now seeking refuge under the coolness of the stars but are still parched.
The second verse sets up an interesting juxtaposition between the coolness of the night and the burning heat of the day. The cowboy finds temporary relief in the night sky, but he knows that he must keep moving in search of water. The shadows seem to sway and vocalize their message to the cowboy to pray for water. The cowboy and Dan persevere in their journey while yearning for rest, hoping to find the water that will quench their thirst.
Overall, the song plays heavily on the themes of perseverance, faith, and the hope that one's prayers will eventually be answered. The cowboy and his horse are symbols of those who press on, even when faced with the harshest of conditions.
Line by Line Meaning
All day I've faced the barren waste
I've been walking in a dry and empty place all day
Without the taste of water, cool water
I'm thirsty and there's no water to drink
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
My dog Dan and I are both thirsty and our throats feel dry
And souls that cry for water, cool, clear water
We really want to drink some clear, cool water
Keep a-movin', Dan, don't you listen to him, Dan
Let's keep walking, Dan, don't pay attention to the voice telling you to stop
He's a devil not a man
The voice is not human, it's like a devil trying to deceive us
And he spreads the burning sand with water
The voice is trying to make us believe there's water even though it's just dry sand
Dan can you see that big green tree
Can you see the tree with green leaves, Dan?
Where the water's runnin' free
There's water flowing freely near the tree
And it's waiting there for you and me
We can drink from that water, it's available for us
The nights are cool and I'm a fool
The nights are cold and I'm foolish for not drinking enough water during the day
Each star's a pool of water, cool water
I'm imagining that the stars are reflecting pools of cool water
But with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
When the sun rises, I'll wake up and yawn
And carry on to water, cool, clear, water
I'll continue walking until I find some clear, cool water
The shadows sway and seem to say
The shadows are moving and it seems like they're trying to send a message
Tonight we pray for water, cool, water
Tonight we'll pray for some cool water
And way up there He'll hear our prayer
God will hear our prayer from heaven
And show us where there's water, cool, clear, water
God will guide us to find some clear, cool water
Dan's feet are sore he's yearning for
Dan's feet hurt and he really wants
Just one thing more than water, cool, water
Dan wants something other than just cool water
Like me I guess he'd like to rest
I think Dan wants to rest, just like I do
Where there's no quest for water, cool, clear, water
A place where we don't have to search for cool, clear water
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Nolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terence Jones
Slim whitman had two of the very best in all his records first was his fantastic voice and second was his backing musicians .just brilliant
foley muzieklover
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lee Mearns
This is incredibly moving, voice is awesome, especially with that touch of reverb....
Johnny Cheddar
Couldn't agree more. It's my favorite rendition of the song for sure ππ»
johnny nolan
Seen him in concert in London back in 1984 when I was only 17 he was brilliant. One of the most underrated singers of all time. R.I.P Slim Whitman
johnny nolan
@AA krueger no problem. Its ok.
AA krueger
@johnny nolan iβm going to delete my comment iβm really sorry
AA krueger
@johnny nolan iβm sorry i donβt know what came over me.
johnny nolan
@AA krueger what was that for.
Johnny Cheddar
That's awesome! His voice was so amazing ππ»π