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
Before The Devil Knows We're Dead
Turnpike Troubadours Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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!