Montgomery In The Rain
Steve Young Lyrics


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WELL HERE I AM AGAIN DOWN IN MONTGOMERY ALABAM
MY LUCK AIN’T NEVER BEEN UP BUT I’M USED TO IT DOWN
SO ALL YOU PEOPLE DON’T LOOK AT ME AND FROWN
I DON’T WANT TO STAY HERE AND I’M JUST PASSING THROUGH YOUR TOWN
AND I JUST CAME BACK HERE TO SEE AN OLD STAINED WINDOW PANE
BEFORE YOU TEAR IT ALL DOWN AND BRING OUT YOUR CRANE
I DID WANT TO SEE MONTGOMERY I THE RAIN......
AROUND THESE STREETS AND OLD HOUSES ALOT OF CHANGES I BEEN THROUGH,
FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWN TO WASHING CARS , BEING DOWN OUT AND BLUE,
AND I ONCE MET A WOMAN HERE WITH WAYS LIKE I NEVER HAD SEEN
WE USED TO RAMBEL BETWEEN HERE AND OLD NEW ORLEANS
SO I’VE JUST COME BACK HERE TO REMEMBER A JOY AND A PAIN
TO LOOK BACK TO A YEAR THROUGH A TEAR IN AN OLD WINDOW PANE
AND I DID WANT TO SEE MONTGOMERY IN THE RAIN.....

SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO HIDE YOUR BABY YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO GET NO GUN
I KNOW I LOOK FUNNY TO YOU ALL HONEY BUT I’M JUST ONE
WHO WAS ONCE FROM HERE AND NOW WHOSE COME BACK AGAIN
AND I’M NOT ASKING FOR NOTHING BUT MY SONG A CEMETARY WIND
AND IF ITS ALL RIGHT WITH YOU BEFORE I GET BACK ON Y TRAIN




I WANT TO GO OUT BY HANK’S TOMBSTONE AND CRY UP A THUNDER STORM CHAIN,
CAUSE I DID WANT TO SEE MONTGOMERY IN THE RAIN.......

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Montgomery In The Rain" by Steve Young convey a sense of nostalgia and longing. The singer is back in Montgomery, Alabama, a place where they have experienced both highs and lows. The repeated refrain of wanting to see Montgomery in the rain suggests that the singer is seeking an emotional release or renewal. The rain may symbolize a cleansing or cathartic event that could help the singer move on from past experiences.


The second verse, in particular, emphasizes the singer's personal history in Montgomery. They've gone from "the top of the town" to "washing cars" and have even had an intense romantic relationship in the past. The singer is clearly trying to reconnect with a time and place that holds significant meaning for them, even if the people they encounter in Montgomery now look down on them.


The final verse suggests that the singer feels like a bit of an outsider, but they still have a connection to the area through the music of Hank Williams. The singer asks for nothing more than to cry out a "thunderstorm chain" by Hank's tombstone before they leave again. This is a powerful image of release and catharsis that underscores the emotion present throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

WELL HERE I AM AGAIN DOWN IN MONTGOMERY ALABAM
I have returned to Montgomery, Alabama once again.


MY LUCK AIN’T NEVER BEEN UP BUT I’M USED TO IT DOWN
I am accustomed to my luck never being good.


SO ALL YOU PEOPLE DON’T LOOK AT ME AND FROWN
Please do not judge or criticize me for being here.


I DON’T WANT TO STAY HERE AND I’M JUST PASSING THROUGH YOUR TOWN
I have no intention of staying here; I am merely passing through.


AND I JUST CAME BACK HERE TO SEE AN OLD STAINED WINDOW PANE
I returned to see a particular old window before it is torn down.


BEFORE YOU TEAR IT ALL DOWN AND BRING OUT YOUR CRANE
I fear the window I want to see may be destroyed soon.


I DID WANT TO SEE MONTGOMERY I THE RAIN......
Seeing Montgomery in the rain was a desire of mine.


AROUND THESE STREETS AND OLD HOUSES A LOT OF CHANGES I BEEN THROUGH
I have experienced many changes around these streets and houses.


FROM THE TOP OF THE TOWN TO WASHING CARS , BEING DOWN OUT AND BLUE
I have experienced both good and bad times in this town, from highs to lows.


AND I ONCE MET A WOMAN HERE WITH WAYS LIKE I NEVER HAD SEEN
I once met a woman here who had a unique personality.


WE USED TO RAMBLE BETWEEN HERE AND OLD NEW ORLEANS
She and I used to travel between here and New Orleans together.


SO I’VE JUST COME BACK HERE TO REMEMBER A JOY AND A PAIN
I returned to recall both happy and sad memories from the past.


TO LOOK BACK TO A YEAR THROUGH A TEAR IN AN OLD WINDOW PANE
I want to remember a specific year, which will be emotional for me.


AND I DID WANT TO SEE MONTGOMERY IN THE RAIN.....
Seeing this town in the rain is a crucial part of my memories here.


SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO HIDE YOUR BABY YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO GET NO GUN
I am not a threat, so there is no need to hide your children or arm yourself.


I KNOW I LOOK FUNNY TO YOU ALL HONEY BUT I’M JUST ONE
I may appear odd or out of place, but I am just one person.


WHO WAS ONCE FROM HERE AND NOW WHOSE COME BACK AGAIN
I am someone who is returning to my hometown.


AND I’M NOT ASKING FOR NOTHING BUT MY SONG A CEMETARY WIND
All I want is to hear the song of the wind at the cemetery.


AND IF ITS ALL RIGHT WITH YOU BEFORE I GET BACK ON Y TRAIN
If it is acceptable to you, I would like to visit a cemetery before leaving town.


I WANT TO GO OUT BY HANK’S TOMBSTONE AND CRY UP A THUNDER STORM CHAIN
I want to visit Hank's tombstone and cry aloud as a symbolic act of mourning.


CAUSE I DID WANT TO SEE MONTGOMERY IN THE RAIN.......
Witnessing Montgomery in the rain was a key part of my emotional return to this town.




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Comments from YouTube:

Camilla Franklin

This, is, the greatest roots rock of all time. Not only was Steve Young a great vocalist, song writer, he was also an amazing guitar player!

Calnon Hardy

Camilla Franklin An incredible guitar player. Country Soul personified.

Jim Gilkeson

A memory of Steve Young: a couple of nights at the Exit Inn in Nashville in the early '70s, I went to hear Josh Graves, the dobro player who played on the album "Seven Bridges Road" by Steve Y. Both times, Josh gets partly into his set and looks out into the audience, acts all surprised and says, "Well, I'll be darned! There a friend of mine . . . let's invite him up to the stage and have him sing a song or two." Of course, it's Steve Young and he comes onstage, hooks his thumbs in his belt loops and sings. He was surprisingly little and he had a huge voice. Great singer, great songs.

Sven E.

Great story. Thanks.

obscurehack

RIP. I exchanged emails with him before he died and he was such an encouraging, amazing talent.

Zimmy Van Zandt

I had the pleasure of exchanging emails with Steve too. He was very polite and encouraging in helping me perform and record. One of a kind and a very special guy for me. Thanks Steve. 🌻💛🎼

katson6

Watching with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. RIP Steve...3-17-2016

Philip Earl McG

what a great song. Hank Jr. did a great cover.

jason horkoff

Philip Earl McG thank you for your recognition of the new south version of this beauty

Camilla Franklin

I Have never understood, how a man who was one of the greatest song writers, guitar players, and most certainly the finest vocalists, has been so ignored. Shame Shame!

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