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
Southeastern Son
Turnpike Troubadours Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'd walk the big clearcuts in the pine timberland
Well the army man told me that I could defend the free
Aw and draw me a paycheck, get a tech school degree
I said hey now sergeant, that sure does sound fine
Well the sawmill ain't hiring, tell me where do I sign
Chorus:
I'll be gone but not for long
Won't you keep a candle burnin'
Won't you leave a porch light on
Well my hands are still steady and they still hold a gun
And this suit of a soldier for your southestern son
Well tell mom not to worry if she's taking it hard
Never thought I'd see action back when I joined the guard
Well all this will be over more later than soon
As I wote in a letter beneath the big afghan moon
Chorus X2
The lyrics of Southeastern Son by Turnpike Troubadours tell the story of a young man who was born and raised in the pine timberland of the Southeastern United States. The first verse paints a picture of a young man who has grown up around guns and hunting. The army man comes along and offers him a way out of the sawmill, telling him that he can defend his country and get an education in the process. The young man jumps at the opportunity and enlists in the army.
The chorus of the song is a plea for his loved ones to keep the light on for him. He will be gone for a while, but he promises to return. The second verse talks about the young man's experience in the army. He is still a sharpshooter, but he's now wearing a soldier's uniform. He tells his mother not to worry about him, even though he's experiencing active duty in Afghanistan. He reassures her that he'll be back soon.
Overall, the lyrics of this song paint a picture of a young man who is proud of his roots but willing to defend his country. It shows the sacrifice that many young men and women make by enlisting in the military, leaving their families behind to serve their country. The song also emphasizes the importance of family and the need for a beacon of light to guide us back home.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I guess I was born with a gun in my hand
I have always been inclined towards using firearms.
We'd walk the big clearcuts in the pine timberland
As a child, I used to explore the large, cut-down areas of fields with pine trees.
Well the army man told me that I could defend the free
A recruiter convinced me that enlisting in the military would allow me to protect my country's freedoms.
Aw and draw me a paycheck, get a tech school degree
Furthermore, I was promised a steady income and an opportunity to obtain a degree in a technical field.
I said hey now sergeant, that sure does sound fine
I was impressed with the offer that the sergeant presented to me.
Well the sawmill ain't hiring, tell me where do I sign
Since there were no job openings at the sawmill, I decided to sign up for the military as an alternative.
Won't you light a lantern for me
Please light a lantern as a sign of hope for my safe return.
I'll be gone but not for long
I will be away for some time, but it won't be forever.
Won't you keep a candle burnin'
Keep the candle lit to guide me back home.
Won't you leave a porch light on
Also, please keep the porch light on to indicate my way back home if it's dark out.
Well my hands are still steady and they still hold a gun
Despite my time in the military, my shooting skills are still sharp.
And this suit of a soldier for your southestern son
This military uniform signifies that I am representing the southern region of the United States.
Well tell mom not to worry if she's taking it hard
If mom is finding it challenging to deal with my absence, let her know that she doesn't need to worry.
Never thought I'd see action back when I joined the guard
At the time I enlisted in the National Guard, I never thought I'd experience real combat.
Well all this will be over more later than soon
The conflict I am facing will take time to come to an end.
As I wrote in a letter beneath the big afghan moon
I shared my thoughts and feelings in a letter one night while looking at the moon in Afghanistan.
Chorus X2
Repeat the previously explained chorus twice.
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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!