Tobacco Road
The Nashville Teens (UK) Lyrics
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Mama died and my daddy got drunk
Left me here to die alone
In the middle of Tobacco Road
Grew up in rusty shack
All I had was hangin' on my back
Only you know how I loathe
But it's home, the only life I ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
Gonna leave, get a job
With the help and the grace from above
Save some money, get rich and old
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
Bring that dynamite and a crane
Blow it up, start all over again
Build a town, be proud to show
Gives the name Tobacco Road
But it's home, the only life I ever known
I despise you 'cause yer filthy
But I love you 'cause yer home
The Nashville Teens’ song “Tobacco Road” is a melancholic and powerful ballad that tells a story of a person who was born, raised, and stuck in the bleak and miserable life of Tobacco Road. The song’s opening lines, “I was born in a bunk, Mama died and my daddy got drunk, Left me here to die alone, In the middle of Tobacco Road,” set the grim tone and bleak circumstance surrounding the song's protagonist.
The first verse describes the character's painful childhood, growing up in a rusty shack with only the basic necessities hanging on his back. The second verse explains why the character loathes and despises that life, driven by a burning desire to leave Tobacco Road, get a job, save some money, and come back to build a town they can finally be proud to call home.
As the song's chorus repeats, "But it's home, the only life I ever known" - this statement provides the bittersweet realization that no matter how chaotic or challenging life might be, Tobacco Road is still the only place in the world the song’s protagonist can call home. It is this insight that ultimately provides the emotional heft to the song, making it far more powerful than a standard protest ballad or surly rocker.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in a bunk
I was born in a small, cramped space meant for sleeping.
Mama died and my daddy got drunk
My mother passed away and my father turned to alcoholism.
Left me here to die alone
My father abandoned me to face life alone.
In the middle of Tobacco Road
I was left in the impoverished area called Tobacco Road.
Grew up in rusty shack
I was raised in a rundown, dilapidated shack.
All I had was hangin' on my back
I carried everything I owned on my back.
Only you know how I loathe
You cannot understand how much I detest this place called Tobacco Road.
This place called Tobacco Road
The area where I grew up, Tobacco Road, is my source of misery and hardship.
But it's home, the only life I ever known
Despite the unpleasantness, Tobacco Road is all I have ever known as a place to call home.
Gonna leave, get a job
I plan to depart from this miserable place and obtain a job elsewhere.
With the help and the grace from above
With the aid of divine assistance and good fortune, I hope to be successful.
Save some money, get rich and old
I will save some money, endure the test of time, and hopefully achieve financial prosperity.
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
I plan to return to Tobacco Road with my wealth.
Bring that dynamite and a crane
I propose using explosives and a large machine to demolish the existing structures in Tobacco Road.
Blow it up, start all over again
I suggest demolishing and rebuilding everything from the ground up.
Build a town, be proud to show
I aspire to erect a new community which will be a matter of pride and will attract visitors.
Gives the name Tobacco Road
I will give this new place the label of Tobacco Road, the name of the old place.
I despise you 'cause yer filthy
I dislike Tobacco Road because it is dirty, run-down, and impoverished.
But I love you 'cause yer home
On the other hand, I have an attachment to Tobacco Road because it is my birthplace and my home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John D. Loudermilk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crlguitar1
Loved it back then....Love it even more today!
So great to see The Nashville Teens in full color....Bravo!
@balanb312
Bravo Zulu
@Tearstolaughter
60 years later, such a cool song!
@redpower690
For all you people out there that think life goes by real slow. These guys are in their mid-70s to early 80s now in some cases they're not around anymore don't waste it.
@sleeplessaquarius
❤❤❤
@eligiotello9337
I used to have an old 40's radio with a 14 inch speaker an. Boy this song sound great on it.!!!!!
@sleeplessaquarius
@@eligiotello9337 Oh wow‼
@charliebures4032
Thankyou oh great guru,
@user-bs4fy1gu7v
Для меня время медленно шло в школе,особенно на уроках,мысли были быстрее бы уроки закончились и домой,на улицу))И в армии время тянулись долго.А сейчас время бежит((Не знаю слышали ли вы песню в исполнении Аллы Пугачевой припев "жизнь не возможно повернуть назад и время не на миг не остановишь"Слова в точку Раньше не придавал значения этим словам,улица,приятели)И что мне в садике не сиделось))Капец время летит))как у нас говорят "столько не живут"))это я о себе))
@calvinbealer7264
Nearly 60 Years Ago. This Song is Pure as a Driven Snow ❄️🌨️🌨️🌨️