Country Blues
The Chieftains Feat. Buddy & Julie Miller Lyrics
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While I've got money to spend
Tomorrow might be Monday
And I'll neither have a dollar nor a friend
When I've got plenty of money, good people
My friends are all standing around
Just as soon as my pocketbook is empty
Not a friend on this earth can be found
The last time I seen that dear woman, good people
She had a wine glass in her hand
She's a-drinking down her troubles
With a lowdown, sorry, no good man
My daddy told me a plenty good people
And my momma she told me more
Said son if you don't quit your rowdy ways
You'll have trouble at your door
All around this old jailhouse this evening, good people
Forty dollars will pay my fine
Corn whiskey has surrounded my body, poor boy
Pretty women look trump in my mind
If I'd a-listened to my momma, good people
I would not be here today
But a-drinking and a-shooting and a-gambling
At home I cannot stay
Go dig a hole in the meadow, good people
Make it deep in that cold, cold ground
Come gather around all you kind friends
And see this poor rounder go down
In these lyrics, the singer is warning of the dangers of excess and reckless behavior. They urge their listeners to enjoy their money while they have it, as tomorrow may hold poverty and isolation. The singer laments the fickleness of their friends, who are quick to gather when money is present but disappear when it runs out. They also speak of the consequences of immoral behavior, such as excessive drinking and associating with unsavory characters, and the warnings given to them by their parents. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges their impending imprisonment and the finality of death.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all you good, kind people
Addressing a group of people as decent and compassionate individuals.
While I've got money to spend
While I have some wealth that can be put to use.
Tomorrow might be Monday
There is an uncertainty about the coming time.
And I'll neither have a dollar nor a friend
There is a fear of being without both financial and emotional support.
When I've got plenty of money, good people
When there is abundance in wealth.
My friends are all standing around
People tend to come closer when they notice prosperity.
Just as soon as my pocketbook is empty
But they tend to go as soon as the wealth is gone.
Not a friend on this earth can be found
There is a realization that there are no real friends.
The last time I seen that dear woman, good people
Recalling a past encounter with a beloved woman.
She had a wine glass in her hand
She was consuming alcohol.
She's a-drinking down her troubles
The woman is trying to forget her problems by means of alcohol.
With a lowdown, sorry, no good man
Being in the company of an undesirable, dishonest partner.
My daddy told me a plenty good people
The father gave his son valuable advice.
And my momma she told me more
The mother also gave her son advice.
Said son if you don't quit your rowdy ways
Their advice was to mend his unruly behavior.
You'll have trouble at your door
Or else he will face consequences.
All around this old jailhouse this evening, good people
Being within or near an old jailhouse.
Forty dollars will pay my fine
The cost of his penalty.
Corn whiskey has surrounded my body, poor boy
Succumbing to the effects of whiskey made from corn.
Pretty women look trump in my mind
Being infatuated with the idea of attractive women.
If I'd a-listened to my momma, good people
Regretting the fact that he didn't heed his mother's advice.
I would not be here today
And as a result, would not have to endure the current situation.
But a-drinking and a-shooting and a-gambling
His hedonistic tendencies and addictions.
At home I cannot stay
Being unable to establish a stable home life.
Go dig a hole in the meadow, good people
Requesting for his burial to take place in an outdoor setting.
Make it deep in that cold, cold ground
Wishing for a deep burial.
Come gather around all you kind friends
Assembling a group of well-wishers.
And see this poor rounder go down
And witness his final descent.
Writer(s): Paddy Moloney
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.