A Couple More Years
Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson Lyrics
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I've had more chances to fly and more places to fall.
And it ain't that I'm wiser,
It's only that I've spent more time with my back to the wall.
And I've picked up a couple more years on you, baby.. that's all.
I've walked a couple more roads than you, baby,that's all.
And I'm tired of runnin' while you're only learning to crawl.
But I've been to somewhere, and found it was nowhere at all.
And I've picked up a couple of years on you baby, that's all.
Now sayin' goodbye, girl don't never come easy at all.
But you've got to fly 'cause you're hearin' those young eagles call.
And someday when you're older, you'll smile at a man strong and tall.
And you'll say I've got a couple more years on you, baby, that's all.
I've got a couple more years on you baby, that's all.
You'll say I've had more chances to fly and more places to fall.
It ain't that I'm wiser,
It's only that I've spent more time with my back to the wall.
And I've picked up a couple more years on you baby, that's all.
The song A Couple More Years by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson is a ballad about a man who has more experience and wisdom than his younger partner. The lyrics suggest that the man has been through more struggles and has gained maturity as a result. He acknowledges that this wisdom does not necessarily mean he is wiser, but that he has spent more time "with his back to the wall."
The song continues with the man pointing out that he has walked more paths and has experienced more setbacks than his partner. He sees his partner as still learning, while he has already been down these roads and found that they often lead nowhere at all. The chorus repeats that he has "picked up a couple more years on you, baby, that's all."
In the final verse, the man acknowledges that saying goodbye to his partner is difficult, but he encourages her to spread her wings and follow her own path, just as he has. He assures her that someday she will be proud of the man she has become, just as he is proud of the experience he has gained over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a couple more years on you, baby,that's all.
I am older than you by just a few years, nothing more.
I've had more chances to fly and more places to fall.
I have taken more risks and experienced more failures and successes than you.
And it ain't that I'm wiser,
My age does not necessarily mean I am wiser than you.
It's only that I've spent more time with my back to the wall.
But I have faced difficult situations and overcome them, which has made me stronger and more resilient.
And I've picked up a couple more years on you, baby.. that's all.
Again, I am just a bit older than you with more life experiences.
I've walked a couple more roads than you, baby,that's all.
I have lived through more challenges and hardships than you have.
And I'm tired of runnin' while you're only learning to crawl.
I am exhausted from living life at a fast pace while you are still adapting and taking things slow.
And you're headin somewhere,
You are moving forward in life and progressing towards your goals.
But I've been to somewhere, and found it was nowhere at all.
But I have also been where you are now and realized that sometimes what seems like progress ends up being meaningless.
And I've picked up a couple of years on you baby, that's all.
Once again, my age and experience slightly outweigh yours.
Now sayin' goodbye, girl don't never come easy at all.
Leaving you will be difficult for me, emotionally.
But you've got to fly 'cause you're hearin' those young eagles call.
But it is time for you to move on and chase after new opportunities and experiences.
And someday when you're older, you'll smile at a man strong and tall.
And in time, you will look back at a man who has grown and become stronger because of his experiences.
And you'll say I've got a couple more years on you, baby, that's all.
And you will realize that, like me, you have gained a little bit of age and experience, but that it is nothing to worry about.
I've got a couple more years on you baby, that's all.
Once again, I am just a little older than you are.
You'll say I've had more chances to fly and more places to fall.
And you will recognize that, like me, you have experienced both successes and failures, but that it is a normal part of life.
It ain't that I'm wiser,
And you will also realize that my age does not necessarily make me any wiser than you are.
It's only that I've spent more time with my back to the wall.
But it is true that I have faced more challenges and overcome more adversity in my life, which has made me stronger.
And I've picked up a couple more years on you baby, that's all.
Once again, my age is just slightly more than yours, along with a bit more experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, T.R.O. INC.
Written by: DENNIS LOCORRIERE, SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind