Green Light
THOMPSON HANK Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I turn your hole card upside down
I caught you cheatin' and runnin' around
There's a smile upon your face while another takes my place
And now at last dear the truth I'd found

Babe there's the green light you're free to go
You'll take a high road I'll take the low
Here's your coat and shoes and don't forget your blues
You're on canoe now you'll have to row

Babe there's the green light shift your gear
I know you fooled me for all these years
I'll hold my head up high and forget you by and by
And there'll be laughter instead of tears

Babe there's the green light kick up your heels
There'll come a day you know how it feels




To have your aces trump and be taken for a chump
Now there's the green light so spin your wheels

Overall Meaning

In Hank Thompson's song Green Light, the singer addresses a cheating lover, accusing them of infidelity and betrayal. The singer has discovered the truth about the relationship and gives their lover permission to leave. The green light serves as a metaphor for freedom, but also signifies the end of the relationship. The singer sounds hurt and disappointed but also resolved to move on, telling the lover to take their coat and shoes and forget their troubles. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer will find happiness and laughter after the pain of the breakup.


The lyrics of Green Light reflect themes that are common in country music, including heartbreak, betrayal, and redemption. The song's simple melody and catchy chorus made it a hit when it was first released in 1953, and it has since become a classic of the genre. Hank Thompson's smooth vocals and storytelling make the lyrics feel like a personal confession. The song also has a sense of humor and irony, as the singer tells the lover to go ahead and "kick up your heels," implying that they won't be missed. Overall, Green Light is a powerful expression of emotional truth and resilience.


Line by Line Meaning

I turn your hole card upside down
I have exposed your secret and shameful actions.


I caught you cheatin' and runnin' around
I have discovered that you have been unfaithful and deceitful.


There's a smile upon your face while another takes my place
You have betrayed me, but you are not even remorseful.


And now at last dear the truth I'd found
I have finally realized the extent of your betrayal.


Babe there's the green light you're free to go
I am letting you go and granting you freedom from our relationship.


You'll take a high road I'll take the low
We will be going in separate directions and leading separate lives.


Here's your coat and shoes and don't forget your blues
I am giving you your belongings and reminding you of the sadness you have caused.


You're on canoe now you'll have to row
You are now on your own and must face the consequences of your actions.


Babe there's the green light shift your gear
I am reminding you that I have given you permission to leave and move on.


I know you fooled me for all these years
I am acknowledging that you were able to deceive me for a long time.


I'll hold my head up high and forget you by and by
I will remain strong and move on from this experience as time goes by.


And there'll be laughter instead of tears
Soon, I will be able to look back and laugh at this situation rather than cry over it.


Babe there's the green light kick up your heels
I am encouraging you to leave and enjoy your newfound freedom.


There'll come a day you know how it feels
One day, you will understand the pain that you have caused me.


To have your aces trump and be taken for a chump
You will experience the feeling of being cheated on and betrayed just as you have done to me.


Now there's the green light so spin your wheels
I am giving you permission to leave and encouraging you to leave quickly and without hesitation.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KARL GORDON, BEN CULLUM, PATRICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@melin520

I turn your hole card upside down
I caught you cheatin' and runnin' around
There's a smile upon your face
While another takes my place
And now at last dear, the truth I'd found

Babe there's the green light, you're free to go
You'll take a high road, I'll take the low
Here's your coat and shoes and don't forget your blues
You're on canoe now you'll have to row
***************
Babe there's the green light, shift your gear
I know you fooled me for all these years
I'll hold my head up high and I forget you by and by
And there'll be laughter instead of tears

Babe, there's the green light, kick up your heels
There'll come a day, you'll know how it feels
To have your aces trump and be taken for a chump
Now there's the green light, so spin your wheels.....



All comments from YouTube:

@haroldteague6575

I was 10 years old . this song came out and my mother would play the radio all time to hear this song. it would about 10 times,a day. now i,m 78 and still love the song.

@richardreichow1969

I was living just outside of Washington DC , in 1954 ( in the Army ) and the local radio station that I listened too , just played the hell out of this tune.. Liked it then and I still do !

@TheCRAZYCAT68

my father played this when i was a kid.loved it then love it now.great.

@bcrosstx

Always good 2 hear Hank

@dakotajohnson3295

Happy birthday sir! I hope you have the band together up in heaven

@jeffsuper1025

Dance hall swing, the best!

@williamwagganor1120

What some people the south Texas area don't know is in Aransas pass tx buddy white played drums for Thompson and bill Williams from Taft ,tx played bass fir this artist good music

@joycemcfee1829

Can't believe I was 14 when I first heard this.  I loved country music even then.  However it sure has changed.  I stopped listening to the new stuff after Randy Travis, George Strait and Alan Jackson.

@doitnowvideosyeah5841

Dale Watson would be a post Randy Travis artist you might like

@janettgrady2394

Joyce...May I commend to your attention an Irish Country singer named Niamh Lynn, and her song, While I Was Making Love To You?? It's my guess you will love this song.. Play it for the man in your life and see what happens. I might add that Ms. Lynn sings many of our old Country favorites...and does a great job. Fourteen in 1954, huh? Me...eleven. Do the math. Damn, time flies!!!

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