Before The Devil Knows We're Dead
Turnpike Troubadours Lyrics


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Well he was pushing 80, but he acted 22
He could laugh and drink just like his grandchildren would do
There was square hay on the meadow, second cutting of the year
Well his summer work was over once they got the pasture cleared
They were drinking on the big bluff across the river from the field
Well, he walked up to the edge and threw a stone in and he kneeled
And he looked down at the water, he said boys I'm going in
They were cheering when he jumped but he did not come up again

Well raise another round boys and have another glass
Be thankful for today knowing it will never last
Still lets leave the world laughing when our eulogies are read
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead

Well it was 20 after midnight, they were going 85
She was barely out of high school wanting bad to feel alive
Just a two lane piece of blacktop, a snakey stretch of road
Well the wind blew through the wing vents, it was clear and fresh and cold
Well the driver killed the headlights and he put the throttle down
When they hit the railroad crossing they were five feet off the ground
Just a-screaming through the midnight, 'til they came down again
Well the front tire hit a bar ditch, they went end over end

Well raise another round boys and have another glass
Be thankful for today knowing it will never last
Still lets leave the world laughing when our eulogies are read
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead

Well I'm twenty eight years old now, I was born in '84
And I've been free as I can be and I won't ask for anymore
So let the fiddle play a hoedown after I've drawn my last breath
Well, tell everyone I know that I loved them all to death

Well raise another round boys and have another glass
Be thankful for today knowing it will never last
Still lets leave the world laughing when our eulogies are read
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead





May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead
May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead

Overall Meaning

The song "Before The Devil Knows We're Dead" by Turnpike Troubadours is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living life to the fullest. The first verse talks about an old man who, despite his age, still lived life with the joy and carefree abandon of a young person. He was drinking and laughing with his grandchildren on a summer day, and when they went to the river to swim, he jumped in and did not come up again. The message here is that life is unpredictable, and we should appreciate the moments we have with loved ones because we never know when it will be our last.


The second verse tells the story of a young woman who was driving recklessly on a deserted road late at night with her boyfriend. They hit a ditch and flipped over, and the song seems to suggest that she died in the accident. The bridge ties the two verses together, with the singer reflecting on his own life and how he wants to be remembered after he dies. He hopes that those who he loves, know that he loved them back just as much, and that he lived his life to the fullest.


The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, underscoring the central message that life is uncertain, and we should appreciate every moment we have. It suggests that we should make the most of the time we have on this earth.


Line by Line Meaning

Well he was pushing 80, but he acted 22
Despite his advanced age, he maintained a youthful spirit


He could laugh and drink just like his grandchildren would do
He enjoyed the same things as his younger family members


There was square hay on the meadow, second cutting of the year
It was the second time that year they had harvested hay


Well his summer work was over once they got the pasture cleared
His workload reduced once they completed the pasture clearance


They were drinking on the big bluff across the river from the field
They were enjoying alcoholic beverages while admiring the view from the bluff overlooking the river


Well, he walked up to the edge and threw a stone in and he kneeled
He approached the cliff's edge, threw a rock and knelt down to watch it fall


And he looked down at the water, he said boys I'm going in
He expressed his intent to jump into the water below


They were cheering when he jumped but he did not come up again
The group cheered when he jumped but he failed to resurface, leading to a tragic outcome


Be thankful for today knowing it will never last
It's important to appreciate each day as it comes since it won't last forever


Well it was 20 after midnight, they were going 85
It was late at night and they were driving above the speed limit


She was barely out of high school wanting bad to feel alive
She was a recent high school graduate eager to experience life to the fullest


Just a two lane piece of blacktop, a snakey stretch of road
They were driving on a narrow, winding road


Well the wind blew through the wing vents, it was clear and fresh and cold
The cool night air blew through the car's vents


Well the driver killed the headlights and he put the throttle down
The driver turned off the headlights and accelerated


When they hit the railroad crossing they were five feet off the ground
They were airborne when they crossed the railroad tracks


Just a-screaming through the midnight, 'til they came down again
They were shouting and yelling as they sped through the night


Well the front tire hit a bar ditch, they went end over end
The car crashed when it hit a low embankment, flipping end over end


Well I'm twenty eight years old now, I was born in '84
The singer is currently 28 and was born in 1984


And I've been free as I can be and I won't ask for anymore
The singer feels they have achieved maximum freedom and don't desire more


So let the fiddle play a hoedown after I've drawn my last breath
The artist wants lively music to be played at their funeral


Well, tell everyone I know that I loved them all to death
The artist wants their loved ones to know they loved them deeply


May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead
The artist hopes they and their loved ones achieve salvation before the devil can attempt to claim them


May we all get to heaven 'fore the devil knows we're dead
The singer repeats their wish for salvation and avoiding the devil's grasp




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Evan Duane Felker, R.C. Edwards

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Stuart


on Down on Washington

The song is literally about the drunk narrator falling in love with a stripper/prostitute... No more depth than that. "Awkward occupation", "steal you... if the choice were up to me", "what's a poor boy to do?" The effort is appreciated though!

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