If You Can Touch Her At All
Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson Lyrics


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Funny a woman can come on so wild and free
Yet insist I don't watch her undress or watch her watch me
And stand by the bed and shiver as if she were cold
Just to lie down beside me and touch me as if I were gold

One night of love can't make up for six nights alone
But I'd rather have one than none Lord 'cause I'm flesh and bone
Though sometimes it seems that she ain't worth the trouble at all
She could be worth the world if somehow you can touch her at all

Right or wrong a woman can own any man
She can take him inside her and hold his soul in her hand
Then leave him as weak and weary as a newborn child
Fighting to get his first breath and open his eyes

One night of love don't make up for six nights alone
But I'd rather have one than none Lord 'cause I'm flesh and bone




Though sometimes it seems that she ain't worth the trouble at all
She could be worth the world if somehow you can touch her at all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Waylon Jennings’ song “You Can Have Her” deal with the complexities of relationships, particularly between a man and a woman. The first verse talks about the contradiction in a woman's behavior. On the one hand, she can come across as free and wild, but on the other hand, she may want privacy when it comes to undressing or being watched. The image of a woman shivering beside the bed highlights the idea that despite her seemingly impenetrable exterior, she can also be vulnerable.


The second verse delves deeper into the challenges faced by men when they love a woman but are not always satisfied in the relationship. Jennings sings that one night of love cannot make up for six nights apart, but even a brief moment of love is better than nothing. It shows that even though the relationship might be difficult, the singer cannot help but crave interaction with the woman he loves.


The third verse muses on the power dynamics in relationships. Women can have profound emotional control over men and can leave them feeling weak and vulnerable, like a newborn child fighting to take their first breath. Despite the power dynamics in relationships, the singer still longs for intimacy, even if it means enduring the pain that often comes with loving someone.


Overall, the song's lyrics are a testament to the complexity of human relationships, exploring themes of vulnerability, power dynamics, and the often impractical nature of attraction.


Line by Line Meaning

Funny a woman can come on so wild and free
It's amusing how a woman can be so confident and carefree, yet still request privacy when getting dressed or watching intimate moments.


Yet insist I don't watch her undress or watch her watch me
Despite her boldness, she still prefers some level of privacy and respect in certain situations.


And stand by the bed and shiver as if she were cold
Sometimes, even though she wants intimacy, she may still feel apprehensive or vulnerable in those moments.


Just to lie down beside me and touch me as if I were gold
However, when she finally does allow herself to be intimate, her touch and affection make me feel valued and cherished.


One night of love can't make up for six nights alone
While a single night of intimacy may feel wonderful, it's not enough to make up for the long stretches of loneliness and isolation in between.


But I'd rather have one than none Lord 'cause I'm flesh and bone
Despite the fact that one night of love isn't enough, as a human being with desires and needs, I'll take what I can get.


Though sometimes it seems that she ain't worth the trouble at all
Even with the satisfaction of intimacy, it can still be frustrating and tiresome to deal with the complexities and struggles of a relationship with this woman.


She could be worth the world if somehow you can touch her at all
Despite the challenges, if I can find a way to connect with her, her love and affection could be the most valuable thing in the world to me.


Right or wrong a woman can own any man
Whether it's fair or not, a woman has the power to completely capture the heart and soul of any man, regardless of his desires or intentions.


She can take him inside her and hold his soul in her hand
Through intimacy and emotional attachment, a woman can completely possess a man's innermost being and make him feel vulnerable and exposed.


Then leave him as weak and weary as a newborn child
When a woman leaves or disconnects from a man after possessing him, it can leave him feeling lost, confused, and completely powerless, like a helpless infant.


Fighting to get his first breath and open his eyes
It's a struggle for a man to regain his sense of self and independence once he's been completely consumed and controlled by a woman.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEE CLAYTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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