Hey Joe
Ten Years Later Lyrics

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Hey Joe, Where You Goin' With That Gun In Your Hand?
Hey Joe, I Said Where You Goin' With That Gun In Your Hand?
I'm Goin' Down To Shoot My Old Lady
You Know I Caught Her Messin' 'Round With Another Man, Yeah
I'm Goin' Down To Shoot My Old Lady
You Know I Caught Her Messin' 'Round With Another Man, Heh
And That Ain't Too Cool

Uh, Hey Joe, I Heard You Shot Your Woman Down
You Shot Her Down, Now
Hey Joe, I Heard You Shot Your Old Lady Down
You Shot Her Down To The Ground, Yeah

Yes, I Did, I Shot Her
You Know I Caught Her Messin' 'Round, Messin' 'Round Town
Yes, I Did, I Shot Her
You Know I Caught My Old Lady Messin' 'Round Town
And I Gave Her The Gun
I Shot Her!

Alright
Shoot Her One More Time Again, Baby
Yeah
Ah, Dig It, Now
Ah! Ah!
Oh, Alright

Hey Joe, Said Now
Uh, Where You Gonna Run To Now, Where You Gonna Run To?
Hey Joe, I Said
Where You Gonna Run To Now, Where You, Where You Gonna Go?
Well, Dig It!

I'm Goin' Way Down South
Way Down To Mexico Way
Alright
I'm Goin' Way Down South
Way Down Where I Can Be Free
Ain't No One Gonna Find Me
Ain't No Hangman Gonna
He Ain't Gonna Put A Rope Around Me
You Better Believe It Right Now
I Gotta Go Now
Hey, Hey Joe
You Better Run On Down
Goodbye Everybody
Ow!

Hey, Hey Joe
Run On Down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ten Years Later's song Hey Joe tell the story of a man, named Joe, who has caught his old lady messing around with another man. As a result, he decides to grab his gun and head down to shoot her. The song is sung from Joe's perspective and is full of bitterness and anger. He makes it very clear that he is not going to take her infidelity lightly and that he intends on seeking revenge. The chorus repeats the phrase "Hey Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand?" which adds to the sense of danger and uncertainty in the song.

As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that Joe has actually shot his old lady down. The lyrics become more aggressive and raw, with Joe singing "shoot her one more time again, baby". He has clearly lost his mind and is consumed by his anger towards his old lady. The song ends with Joe announcing his plans to flee to Mexico so that he can escape the consequences of his actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey Joe, Where You Goin' With That Gun In Your Hand?
Joe, why do you have a gun in your hand?

I'm Goin' Down To Shoot My Old Lady You Know I Caught Her Messin' 'Round With Another Man, Yeah I'm Goin' Down To Shoot My Old Lady You Know I Caught Her Messin' 'Round With Another Man, Heh And That Ain't Too Cool
I'm going to shoot my girlfriend because I caught her cheating with another man, which is not okay

Uh, Hey Joe, I Heard You Shot Your Woman Down You Shot Her Down, Now Hey Joe, I Heard You Shot Your Old Lady Down You Shot Her Down To The Ground, Yeah
I heard that you actually shot your girlfriend down to the ground with your gun

Yes, I Did, I Shot Her You Know I Caught Her Messin' 'Round, Messin' 'Round Town Yes, I Did, I Shot Her You Know I Caught My Old Lady Messin' 'Round Town And I Gave Her The Gun I Shot Her!
Yes, I shot my girlfriend after I caught her cheating on me and I gave her the gun to end her life

Hey Joe, Said Now Uh, Where You Gonna Run To Now, Where You Gonna Run To? Hey Joe, I Said Where You Gonna Run To Now, Where You, Where You Gonna Go?
Joe, where do you think you're going now? Where are you planning to escape?

I'm Goin' Way Down South Way Down To Mexico Way Alright I'm Goin' Way Down South Way Down Where I Can Be Free Ain't No One Gonna Find Me Ain't No Hangman Gonna He Ain't Gonna Put A Rope Around Me You Better Believe It Right Now I Gotta Go Now
I'm headed way down south to Mexico, where I hope to start a new life free from persecution. Nobody will find me there, and I won't be hanged for shooting my girlfriend.

Hey, Hey Joe You Better Run On Down Goodbye Everybody Ow! Hey, Hey Joe Run On Down
Joe, you better hurry up and get out of here before the authorities arrive. Goodbye everyone, Joe's making his escape now.

Contributed by Bailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Ralph Monka

4y↑12

He is a very great talented Artist. too much unterrated. What a pity. RIP Alvin gone much too soon

Mark Curtis

3y↑4

Love watching Leo Lyons on double neck bass guitar. God put him here to play with Alvin Lee

GBeret83

2y↑2

@Mark Curtis, big fan of Leo Lyons also, but this isn't Leo in this video. By the time this was recorded in 1978, Alvin had already split with the original line-up of Ten Years After with Leo Lyons on bass, Ric Lee on drums and Chic Churchill on keyboards. He reformed the group calling it "Ten Years Later" with Mick Hawksworth on bass(double neck bass here) and Tom Compton on drums. Compton would also, around later become a drummer for Johnny Winter for awhile too. Around 82' or 83' if memory serves, but I'm not 100% certain of the year he got with Johnny Winter?

Jesús Marmolejo Aguilar

4y↑4

Grandes guitarristas Jimi y Alvin....yeah......

GBeret83

2y↑1

The greatest guitarist of the entire classic rock generation that no one ever seems to talk about, and boy what a sad commentary that is because Alvin Lee was flat out gifted. He was pure fireball in his fingertips and pure ability in his approach. Alvin excelled at anything he played, be it jazz, blues, rock, or whatever. Every bit as talented as the bad ass gunslingers of the day that did get a lot of hype and media coverage, I.E., Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck, Winter, Santana, etc.........