Don't Take The Girl
Tim Mc Graw Lyrics


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Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old

Little girl came through the front gate
Holdin' a fishin' pole
His dad looked down and smiled
He said, "We can't leave her behind"
"Son, I know you don't want her to go
But someday you'll change your mind"
And Johnny said
"Take Jimmy Johnson
Take Tommy Thompson
Take my best friend, Bo
Take anybody that you want as
Long as she don't go
Take any boy in the world
Daddy please, don't take the girl"

Same old boy, same sweet girl
Ten years down the road
He held her tight and kissed her lips in
Front of the picture show
Stranger came and pulled a gun
Grabbed her by the arm said
"If you do what I tell you to
There won't be any harm"
And Johnny said "Take my money
Take my wallet
Take my credit cards
Here's the watch that my Grandpa gave me
Here's the key to my car
Mister give it a whirl
But please don't take the girl"

Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Five years down the road
There's gonna be a little one and she
Says it's time to go
Doctor says the baby's fine
But you'll have to leave
'Cause his momma's fading fast and
Johnny hit his knees and there he prayed
"Take the very breath you gave me
Take the heart from my chest
I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me
Make this my last request
Take me out of this world
God, please don't take the girl"

Johnny's daddy




Was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old

Overall Meaning

"Don't Take the Girl" is a heart-wrenching country ballad by Tim Mcgraw. The song narrates the story of a young man named Johnny and his journey through different stages of life. The first verse introduces Johnny as an eight-year-old boy who was going fishing with his dad. As they were about to leave, a little girl showed up with a fishing pole in her hand. Johnny's dad insisted that she should come along with them, but Johnny was reluctant, saying, "Take any boy in the world, daddy, please don't take the girl." This foreshadows the rest of the story where Johnny would do anything to protect his love from harm.


Fast forward ten years later, Johnny is with the same girl he met as a child. They are attending a picture show when suddenly a stranger appears with a gun and threatens to harm the girl. Johnny pleads with him to take anything he wants but not the girl. In the third verse, it is revealed that Johnny's wife is pregnant, and the doctor says they need to perform an emergency c-section to save the baby's life. Johnny's wife's condition deteriorates, and he begs God to take his life instead of hers.


The chorus "Take Jimmy Johnson, take Tommy Thompson, take my best friend, Bo. Take anybody that you want as long as she don't go. Take any boy in the world, daddy, please don't take the girl" is repeated throughout the song and emphasizes how far Johnny is willing to go to keep his love safe. The song's message is that true love means sacrifice and being willing to do anything to protect the ones you love.


Line by Line Meaning

Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin'
When Johnny was just eight years old, his father took him fishing.


A young girl with a fishing pole arrived and Johnny's dad decided to take her along with them despite Johnny's initial reluctance.
Johnny's father noticed a little girl holding a fishing pole and invited her to join them on their fishing trip. Johnny wasn't keen on the idea, but his dad reassured him that he'd change his mind someday.


Johnny pleaded with his dad to take anyone else along with them, but not the little girl.
Johnny begged his father to take any other person instead of the little girl, emphasizing that she must not be taken along with them.


Years later, Johnny and the girl are still together and are at a picture show when a stranger tries to abduct her, threatening to hurt her if she resists.
Years later, Johnny and the girl are still together and are at a movie theater when an unknown person tries to take her away forcefully while aiming a gun at them.


After five years, their relationship has blossomed into a family, but the girl's health declines after childbirth, and she must be rushed to the hospital.
Five years pass, and the couple has a child. However, the strain of childbirth takes a toll on the girl's health, requiring a visit to the hospital.


In despair, Johnny begs God to take his life instead of the girl's.
Johnny becomes distraught and begs God to take his life instead of his beloved partner's.


The song closes where it began, with Johnny's father taking him fishing, marking the start and end of a deeply poignant love story.
The song ends where it began, with Johnny's father taking him fishing, signifying an unending, heartfelt relationship.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LARRY JOHNSON, CRAIG MARTIN

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

MaKayla Andersen

Memories are something nobody can take away from you!

I cope, relate & listen to a massive range of music but this one makes me cry everytime, below is my reason why!

This one especially shatters my heart every single time I hear it. Why? The reason is because I can't hear the voice emphasizing the lyrics, the voice singing this to me, the eyes looking at me and the touch of his hand holding onto me....because he's gone. I can't call him on the phone, I can't see his smile, I can't sweat to death seeing him sit outside in 90 degree weather in jeans. I can't do any of these things, the only thing I can do is remember the memories. I remember exactly where we were, what he was wearing, and the look he gave me.

We were in the "Blueberry" he was driving in his cowboy boots, jeans, and a white tshirt. He had his black dog on his left leg in the driver seat. I was sitting between the front seats on the tv box that was in that spot. It was just me and him in the van. He let me sit there cause he held me close because we were driving 5 mph through the park at Otter Creek by Marshalltown. I was 10 years old. This song came on the radio and he took my hand, I was rocking from side to side as he was singing to me. He said no one will take you, because I won't let them and that's why he sings "Don't take the girl". 🥺😢😭

Why does this stick with me so vividly? Because this was the last full memory I have. Other than hospital visits, lots of tears, and his memory fading as the days went on. That same week this happened, this was also the same week he had a stroke in the camper and that he later died from.

Will these flashbacks, tears or memories stop me from listening to this song over and over again? Absolutely not, this is here to constantly remind me that he maybe gone physically but this also reminds me he still is there holding onto me, smiling at me, sitting in the jeans outside with a drink in his hand and his dog on his lap driving in the Blueberry.

Coming up to his "death day anniversary" November 26th I will be listening to this over and over so the happy memories flood my mind and help me get through the last 10 days of this month! 💔💔 He would have been one of my greatest protectors just like my mom and dad are. They would give everything for me, they would even give up their life if they had to, my grandpa would have done the same!



All comments from YouTube:

Aleena Mayorga

I finally found this song. My dad used to sing this to me. I lost him to depression. 15years later and it still feels like yesterday. I miss you dad forever daddy's little Girl ❤❤❤❤🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

jim ogrady

Aleena Mayorga Did you know his dad was a Major League Baseball Player. His Name was TUG MCGRAW.

Jake Price

Wow what a good story except for your dad dying I am sorry for that

Kit Bentley

I'm so sorry for ur loss, I know everyone says that,but I almost died when giving birth.

VeronicaM

I just lost my mother in law same reason God bless your heart

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Randy L

I lost my daughter 5 years ago. The end of this song always makes me tear up really bad. I’d do anything to trade spots with her

David Valencia

Shes in paradise now. May her r.i.p!!🙏

Mr MMJ

God dang this made me cry

Mr MMJ

Sorry brother.

Randa Williams

I'm very sorry! God bless you

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