The band, whose name is derived from the bumpy Oklahoma toll-roads and their hard lived folk singing heroes, are proof that isolation can be the mother of originality. Cutting their teeth in roadside dance halls and honky-tonks has made a serious impact on the band’s musical style, which walks the line between Woody Guthrie and Waylon Jennings. “Bossier City,” the band’s debut album, is testament to the small towns in which they were raised. It combines Folk, Country, Cajun, and Bluegrass with stories of longing, humor, tragedy, and general life in rural America.
Breaking down traditional barriers between the audience and the stage is something in which they excel. Fast, gritty, and often drenched in beer, the Troubadours perform to both their fans and new audience members with an genuine sincerity about them. They continually gather ground both literally and figuratively as they travel up, down, and across the Midwest.
Their follow-up album, “Diamonds & Gasoline”, was release 2010 with veteran producer and songwriter Mike McClure and legend Joe Hardy (ZZ-Top, Steve Earle). They relentlessly play shows in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Texas.
Evan Felker - Lead Vocals, Acoustic
R.C. Edwards - Bass, Backing Vocals
Kyle Nix - Fiddle, Backing Vocals
Ryan Engleman - Lead Guitar
Giovanni Carnuccio - Drums, Backing Vocals
Angola
Turnpike Troubadours Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've seen your share of war
Living for your Uncle Sam
Sam don't need you anymore
You'll be gone, you'll be leaving
You'll be back home again
On Christmas or July fourth
And I'm glad to see your doing well,
We all know just who you are,
Put your saber on the shelf
And well take down the ole blue star.
Well I remember when you'd send me letters
And make my day when I was young
Photographs with M-16s
And money from Somalia
You'll be gone, you'll be leaving
You'll be back home again
On Christmas or July fourth
I really don't remember when
And I'm glad to see your doing well,
We all know just who you are,
Put your saber on the shelf
And well take down the ole blue star.
Your back home with your little girl
Wild and pretty, blonde and blue
You can't help but be their world
And they can't help but look like you
You'll be gone, you'll be leaving
You'll be back home again
On Christmas or July fourth
I really don't remember when
And I'm glad to see your doing well,
We all know just who you are,
Put your saber on the shelf
And well take down the ole blue star.
The verses of Turnpike Troubadours' song "Angola" speaks about the experience of a fighting man who has seen the horrors of war and is now being sent back home, with the implication that he will no longer be needed by his country. The soldier has been living for his Uncle Sam, but now Uncle Sam no longer needs him, and he is being sent back home. The chorus gives the impression that the soldier will not be missed for long, as his return home will only be noted briefly, if at all. The singer expresses happiness that the soldier is back and doing well, but notes that the time has come for him to put his saber on the shelf as his days of military service are over. The song ends with the image of the soldier back home with his little girl who looks just like him and who he adores.
One could argue that this song is an ode to the sacrifice soldiers make, and to the price they pay for serving their country. It is evident that the soldier in question has lost something due to his time in the military, and it is unclear if he will ever be able to fully reintegrate into civilian life. Moreover, the song seems to capture a collective indifference to the plight of soldiers once they have fulfilled their duty. Despite this, the song offers the soldier a kind of redemption by acknowledging his return and welcoming him home.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you have been a fighting man
You have a history of being involved in military conflicts
You've seen your share of war
You've experienced the grim realities of war
Living for your Uncle Sam
Your dedication was to serving your country
Sam don't need you anymore
You are no longer required for military service
You'll be gone, you'll be leaving
You will be departing from your current location
You'll be back home again
You are returning to your country of origin
On Christmas or July fourth
It is unclear which specific holiday you will return on
I really don't remember when
The exact date of your return is uncertain
And I'm glad to see your doing well,
I'm happy to see that you're thriving
We all know just who you are,
Your identity is known and remembered by us
Put your saber on the shelf
You don't need to carry weapons anymore
And well take down the ole blue star.
Your service to your country is over
Well I remember when you'd send me letters
I have fond memories of receiving letters from you
And make my day when I was young
Your words made me happy when I was a child
Photographs with M-16s
Photos of you holding military weapons
And money from Somalia
You sent me money you earned during your service in Somalia
Your back home with your little girl
You have returned home to your daughter
Wild and pretty, blonde and blue
Your daughter has a lively and attractive personality and appearance
You can't help but be their world
You are the center of your daughter's world
And they can't help but look like you
Your daughter bears a strong resemblance to you
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MistylynnRaab
I went to school and lived in same neighborhood with the guys they are singing about. R.I.P GREG
@colinmatthews5999
so what happened?
@chrisshaw7882
@@colinmatthews5999 don't you sing or play in this band
@MistylynnRaab
Well Matt Chris and Greg were all best friends. In 2000 meth became drug of choice. Sales was thinking Greg was talking to police. That night the three went for a ride to talk. They parked and Chris told Matt to run to circle k and get some beers. When he returned sales was covered in blood. They went back to Matt's and tried to burn the clothes. When I woke up that morning the hood was invaded with cops. And they went to jail.
@shirleylafitte3329
I grow up in the same neighborhood as the guys they sing about in this song. And it was a sad day for all this to happen and then it to turn out to be lies. So all these people are gone . To heaven are in prison. And it didn't have to be this way. All over a lie. My heart goes out to them all. Just know I understand . And I still love and pray for u all. I hope to see you released one day. Your old friend shirley lafitte. To Snatty . Chris u know I'm talking to u. 143 friends 4/ ever.
@MistylynnRaab
@@shirleylafitte3329 I talk to Chris just last week. He's married and has step kids.
@christophersales5627
If only there were a time machine
@spurfectionfilms4165
Hold your head up brother. I have been in that state of mind you was in at the time that took place. I could have made the same decision more then once in my life that you made at that moment. I believe in my heart God only judges us on our decision we make in life while thinking clearly.
@spurfectionfilms4165
Chris if you like to hog hunt and ever make it to Durant, Oklahoma get in touch with me Jim Brown
@spurfectionfilms4165
I use to live in Mccurtain county before they stopped open range