on the road again
The Rockets Lyrics


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Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend

You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go

And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"

Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going

But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself




I can't carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else

Overall Meaning

The Rockets' "On The Road Again" is a song that epitomizes the spirit of the American highway adventure. It is a song that captures the relentless pursuit of a dream, the sheer joy of being on the move, and the wistful longing for home all at once. The artist sings about how he is desperately tired of crying, but he keeps moving on, believing that the road and the journey are what give meaning to his life. He goes on to talk about the first time he traveled out in the rain and snow when he was young, and how he didn't have any money or even a place to go. He then reflects on losing his mother at a young age and how she prayed for him to find peace.


The refrain "I'm on the road again" is repeated throughout the song, as if to emphasize the fact that the artist is always on the move, never stopping, never taking a break. The song tells of the loneliness that comes with the life of a traveler, not having a woman to call his special friend. He asks his mother not to cry anymore, because he knows that someday he will find his way home. The artist knows that he can't travel down the long old lonesome road by himself, and so he will need to find someone to carry with him.


Overall, "On The Road Again" is a song that speaks to the hearts of those who have a sense of adventure, a dream to pursue, and a longing for something they have yet to find. It's a song about the power of music, the inspiration of a journey, and the hope for a brighter future.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I'm so tired of crying
I am emotionally drained and exhausted from feeling sadness and pain


But I'm out on the road again
However, I am currently traveling on the road once more despite feeling tired


I'm on the road again
I am currently traveling and moving forward towards a new destination


I ain't got no woman
I currently do not have a female partner in my life


Just to call my special friend
I do not have a specific person who I can confide in or turn to for support


You know the first time I traveled
I recall the initial journey I took away from home


Out in the rain and snow
The beginning of my travels was during inclement weather conditions


I didn't have no payroll
During my early travels, I didn't make any money


Not even no place to go
At the start of my travels, I did not have a specific destination or purpose


And my dear mother left me
My mother passed away when I was young


When I was quite young
At a young and impressionable age


She said 'Lord, have mercy
Before dying, my mother prayed for forgiveness for me


On my wicked son'
She believed I had done wrong in my life and needed mercy


Take a hint from me, mama
Mama, please listen to my advice


Please don't you cry no more
Please refrain from crying, as it upsets me


'Cause it's soon one morning
Because there will come a day soon


Down the road I'm going
I will continue to journey down the road


But I ain't going down
However, I will not be going on this journey alone


That long old lonesome road
I refuse to travel down the isolated, painful path of life by myself


All by myself
Without the company or support of others


I can't carry you, baby
I cannot be responsible for providing you constant support and care


Gonna carry somebody else
I am willing to help and support someone else in need




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH L. HICKSON, NATHAN B. MORRIS, RICKIE KENNETH FAMBRO, WANYA JERMAINE MORRIS, SHAWN PATRICK STOCKMAN

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