The Sons of the Pioneers did several songs for the John Ford movies Wagon Master (in 1949) and Rio Grande in (1950).
The six members who made the Sons of the Pioneers famous in the late 1930s with their close-harmonied western style music were elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1995, they were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 1977, the Smithsonian designated the Sons of the Pioneers as "national treasures". Through many changes to the line-up, the Sons of the Pioneers have continued to perform.
Cigareets Whusky and Wild Wild Women
Sons Of The Pioneers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They'll drive you crazy; They'll drive you insane
Cigarettes and Whusky and Wild, Wild Women
They'll drive you crazy; They'll drive you insane.
Once I was happy and had a good wife ...
I had enough money to last me for life
I met with a gal and we went on a spree ...
CHORUS
Now I am feeble and broken with age
The lines on my face make a well-written page
I'm leavin this message; how sad but how true
On women and whuskey and what they can do.
CHORUS
Write on the cross at the head of my grave
For women and whuskey here lies a poor slave
Take warning dear stranger, take warning dear friend
Then write in big letters these words at the end.
CHORUS
The song "Cigarettes, Whusky and Wild, Wild Women" by Sons of the Pioneers is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vices such as smoking, drinking, and wild women. The singer starts out happy with a good life and a good wife, but then meets a woman who leads him down a destructive path of smoking and drinking. The chorus warns that these vices will drive you crazy and insane. The singer is now feeble and broken with age, regretting the choices he made in his youth. He leaves a message to warn others about the dangers of these vices and urges them to take heed.
The song is a reflection of the attitudes of the time towards smoking, drinking, and promiscuity. It is meant to be a cautionary tale and a warning to others about the dangers of these activities. The singer speaks from experience and regrets his choices, hoping that others can learn from his mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Cigarettes and Whusky and Wild, Wild Women
Indulging in harmful substances and wild behavior with women can be detrimental to one's well-being.
They'll drive you crazy; They'll drive you insane
The consequences of such indulgences can lead to mental instability and emotional distress.
Once I was happy and had a good wife ...
The singer had a content life with a loving spouse.
I had enough money to last me for life
Financial security was not an issue for the artist.
I met with a gal and we went on a spree ...
The artist met a woman and engaged in reckless behavior.
She started me smokin' and drinkin' whuskey.
The woman introduced the singer to smoking and heavy drinking.
Now I am feeble and broken with age
The singer has aged and is now weak and frail.
The lines on my face make a well-written page
The scars and marks of a life of excess are apparent on the artist's face.
I'm leavin this message; how sad but how true
The artist is leaving behind a warning message based on personal experience.
On women and whuskey and what they can do.
The message is about the dangers of indulging in women and whiskey.
Write on the cross at the head of my grave
The singer wants a warning inscribed on his tombstone.
For women and whuskey here lies a poor slave
The artist is acknowledging his enslavement to women and whiskey.
Take warning dear stranger, take warning dear friend
The singer is imploring others to heed his warning.
Then write in big letters these words at the end.
The singer wants his message to be emphasized and remembered.
Writer(s): Tim Spencer
Contributed by Alaina C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paulcarter4940
My mother here in Teesside northern England just started singing this song when she saw a man with a cigarette in his mouth. I never heard of it till today. She's 86 and not ever sung it before. Amazing.
@speedysteve9121
Up t' Boro!
@mikesmith2057
I remember it from the Muppets Show in 1976 — haven’t heard it since then but could still sing a good chunk of it. It’s a catchy tune!
@mikeandrews2125
I learned it from my grandmother, who actually did travel to Corpus Christi in a covered wagon in the late 1890s.
@maryspinker
my brother used to sing this in oh, i think 1959 or so, as a joke - stayed with me forever!
@janerubinsky7371
My earliest memory connected to music is providing the last word of every line as my dad played his guitar and sang this. I think I was about three.
@maryspinker
i miss you, brother.
@namu1957
My ol Scots Grandfather use to sing this....
@maryspinker
oh and as an added, my grandchildren have all heard me sing, cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild wimmen!
@maryspinker9942
i miss you, brother - it's just too bad that forgiveness was not something that was taught in our lives......i still love you. i did the best i could and if i i screwed up, well then. we all do at some point. all i can say is i'm sorry, and i was just trying to not drown.