Pocket Full of Gold
Vince Gill Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

He slipped the ring off his finger
When he walked in the room
And he found him some stranger
And promised her the moon
How many lies you must have told
You think you're a rich man
With your pocket full of gold
For another man's treasure
You'd say anything
But is one night of pleasure
Worth the trouble you'll bring
Don't look so surprised
'Cause son I should know
I once was a rich man
With my pocket full of gold

Some night you're gonna wind up
On the wrong end of a gun
Some jealous guy's gonna show up
And you'll pay for what you've done
What will it say on your tombstone
Here lies a rich man
With his pocket full of gold

Yeah, here lies a rich man
With his pocket full of gold

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Vince Gill's song Pocket Full Of Gold are about a man who has a lot of money but uses it to cover up the lies and deceit in his life. The man slips off his wedding ring and goes to find a stranger to promise the moon to, in exchange for one night of pleasure. The song explains that for the man, lying to others and using his money to get what he wants makes him feel like a rich man, hence the reference to 'pocket full of gold'. However, the song's narrator warns that the trouble this man is bound to bring to himself will eventually catch up with him. He is told that lies and betrayal will lead him to a tragic end and he'll end up being known only as a rich man with his pocket full of gold on his gravestone.


The lyrics are a commentary on the dangers of becoming enamoured with money and power. It shows that while the character in the song believed that his wealth could provide him with everything, ultimately it was his undoing. The song also suggests that while some people may be consumed by their desire for wealth and material possessions, there is more to life than that. Vince Gill's Pocket Full of Gold reminds us that honesty and integrity are what really make us rich.


Line by Line Meaning

He slipped the ring off his finger
He removed his wedding ring


When he walked in the room
When he entered the premises


And he found him some stranger
He located someone he hadn't previously met


And promised her the moon
He made grandiose promises and offered the world to her


How many lies you must have told
It's clear that he has told many falsehoods to achieve his desires


You think you're a rich man
He believes himself to be wealthy due to his ill-gotten gains


With your pocket full of gold
He thinks his stash of money is a symbol of his success


For another man's treasure
He is willing to deceive and use someone else's valuable possession to achieve his own ends


You'd say anything
He is not beyond lying or making reckless promises in pursuit of his desires


But is one night of pleasure
Is a brief period of enjoyment worth the trouble it might cause?


Worth the trouble you'll bring
The consequences of his actions could be severe


Don't look so surprised
He shouldn't act taken aback


'Cause son I should know
The singer has a level of experience that the other person lacks


I once was a rich man
At one point, he too had significant wealth


With my pocket full of gold
Like the other man, he too had coveted cash in his possession


Some night you're gonna wind up
One day, he's going to end up in trouble


On the wrong end of a gun
He'll be caught in a situation where he's targeted by someone else's firearm


Some jealous guy's gonna show up
A jealous and angry individual will appear


And you'll pay for what you've done
He will face consequences for his actions


What will it say on your tombstone
What will his legacy be once he has passed away?


Here lies a rich man
He will be remembered as being wealthy


With his pocket full of gold
His money will be his only significant legacy




Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brian Allsmiller, Brian E Allsmiller, Vincent Grant Gill

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

@azukarzuchastux8066

@@kiadarkley5381


1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures





John 3:16


16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life





ROMANS 10:13

For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”



@bigpoppy0617

IMO there are levels to the legends.

Level 1
Johnny Cash

2.
George, Willie, Waylon, Merle.

3.
Randy Travis and Vince Gill.

I know that Garth Brooks and George strait get all the talk from the 80s to the present but give me a Vince Gill 30 minute spoken word intro before he finally sings his song any day.

I will say one thing about Vince as far as his impact on me, in the '80s all I listen to was heavy metal. I was 17 when the '80s ended And I moved in with my brother who lived with his girlfriend and her mother. The mother was a straight from the hills of Virginia country woman and all that was on that TV when she was there was CMT. For 2 years I probably heard thousands of country songs played in none of them did anything for me, actually it was torture lol but then one day in 1991, sitting there being tortured and I hear this voice singing pocket full of gold, I was blown away. Then a few months later "look at us" did the same thing. That was the first country album I ever bought. And I have been introduced to many other great songs by Vince since then. That album still holds a place of honor in my collection right alongside guns n' roses, Metallica and mötley crüe.



All comments from YouTube:

@stangriggs2

My name is stan Griggs and I wrote this song in 1970 sent it to Nashville and never heard anything about it till Vince sings it

@ReactionsbyShawn

Would you like to be a guest on my podcast and tell your story

@azukarzuchastux8066

2 Corinthians 4:4
King James Version
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

@kiadarkley5381

It was written by Gill and Brian Allsmiller . based on searchs .https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_Full_of_Gold_(song)

@azukarzuchastux8066

@@kiadarkley5381


1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures





John 3:16


16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life





ROMANS 10:13

For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

@countryasitgetz1

Ohh sweet Dallas 🤷🏿🙄💙🙏♾️

11 More Replies...

@jeffgarrison3078

My wife passed away eleven years. Ago I miss her so much never cheated on haven't been in a relationship since. This song reminds me of her so much. Thank you so much Vince! Jeff Garrison!

@johnallison1942

So sorry for your loss Jeff. I lost my wife of 54 years 5/15/12 and I don't even think about another woman. I love this song also.I don't know how you have made it for 11 years.I have only been alone 2 1/2 years and can't hardly stand it. John

@all95621

john allison I lost of my husband 2 yrs ago.  We had been married for 46 yrs. I'm not sure If I will ever get over losing him.
Everyday just brings another day of tears. I miss him more every day that passes. 

@johnallison1942

Dearest Laura,I feel your loss.My Mary Ann and I were married for 54 years and I also will never get over the loss.I can relate to the tears cause I have them everyday also.People sya that time will heal it but it has been 3 years almost and as you say it gets worse everyday.All I can tell you is just to take each day as it comes. I know that some day My Mary Ann and I will meet in Heaven. That is what keeps me going and the many memories that we made together. If you need someone to talk to let me know.I will try and help.May God Bless You. John

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