Down by the Riverside
Willie Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paulie, you know who this man is?
Trev, you know? (I don't know him)
You're not from around here
But let me tell you what we do 'round here, let's go
Down by the riverside, hanky panky
With them girls bad, yes ma'am please and thank you
It's a real thin line 'tween snakes and angels
Sun makin' me sweat, cognac on my breath
Crawfish with the cornbread, yeah, this is real as it gets
Knick-knack paddywhack give a dog a bone
Bitch, I'm willie jones, you already know
You can find me out where the corn and the cotton grow
Way down south, crackin' bones slammin' dominos
Welcome to the ratchet black zydeco rodeo
Boss Hog, I'ma dog, I'ma billy goat
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
This is how we throw it down, down by the riverside
Get that mud off my tires
Dirty South in the house
Comin' straight out the bayou
We got that catfish fryin' comin' fresh off the bottom
I got a bad bitch with the buckshot ridin' shotty
Met her down in Tulane so you know she got good brain
That Superdome, I'm supergone, Lord knows I ain't no saint
You can find me out where the corn and the cotton grow
Way down south, crackin' bones slammin' dominos
Welcome to the ratchet black zydeco rodeo
Boss Hog, I'ma dog, I'ma billy goat
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
This is how we throw it down, down by the riverside
Do-si-do to the left, do ya one two-step
Spin around then drop it down
Then slide and catch your breath
Now boot scoot to the right, huh
Tip ya drink to the sky
Now act a fool, go ride the bull
'Cause that's the way we ride
You can find me out where the corn and the cotton grow
Way down south, crackin' bones slammin' dominos
Welcome to the ratchet black zydeco rodeo
Boss Hog, I'ma dog, I'ma billy goat
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
Down by the riverside, by the riverside
This is how we throw it down, down by the riverside
Do-si-do to the left, do ya one two-step
Spin around then drop it down
Then slide and catch your breath
Now boot scoot to the right
Tip ya drink to the sky
This is how we throw it down, down by the riverside
The song "Down by the Riverside" by Willie Jones is a celebration of Southern African American culture, specifically the traditions and activities that take place along the riverside. In the opening lines of the song, the singer references the fact that the singer is not from the area but is quickly brought up to speed on the happenings of the community, including "hanky panky with them girls bad." The imagery suggests that the singer is being welcomed into a world of carefree hedonism and excess, where the rule of "yes ma'am please and thank you" is the norm. However, the singer also touches on the dangers of the area, with "real thin line 'tween snakes and angels" hinting at a world where danger, temptation, and hedonism go hand in hand.
As the song progresses, Willie Jones references Southern food traditions like "crawfish with the cornbread" and cultural touchstones like "slammin' dominos." The line "welcome to the ratchet black zydeco rodeo" is particularly noteworthy as it shows how the song is not only a celebration of Southern African American culture but specifically of a culture that is often overlooked by the mainstream.
The chorus "down by the riverside" emphasizes the centrality of the river to Southern life, conjuring images of people dancing and enjoying themselves on the banks of the great rivers of the South. The song is a joyful paean to a community and way of life that is often neglected by the mainstream media and society at large.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, who is this?
Unfamiliar with the person, questioning who they are
Paulie, you know who this man is?
Asking acquaintance for help in identifying unknown person
Trev, you know? (I don't know him)
Another failed attempt at identifying the unknown person
You're not from around here
Acknowledging that the person is not a local
But let me tell you what we do 'round here, let's go
Inviting the person to join and experience local pastimes
Down by the riverside, hanky panky
Description of a specific activity location
With them girls bad, yes ma'am please and thank you
Describing the type of people that frequent the location
Where them boys ride slow 'cause them roads is dangerous
Warning about the danger of the area
It's a real thin line 'tween snakes and angels
Commenting on the duality of people in the area
Sun makin' me sweat, cognac on my breath
Describing personal physical sensations
Crawfish with the cornbread, yeah, this is real as it gets
Describing a local culinary experience
Knick-knack paddywhack give a dog a bone
Non sequitur phrase without a clear meaning
Bitch, I'm willie jones, you already know
Boasting a popular musician's identity
You can find me out where the corn and the cotton grow
Hinting at specific geographical location
Way down south, crackin' bones slammin' dominos
Describing a possible activity in the area
Welcome to the ratchet black zydeco rodeo
Distinguishing the cultural experience in the area
Boss Hog, I'ma dog, I'ma billy goat
Describing personal qualities with animal metaphors
This is how we throw it down, down by the riverside
Emphasizing the theme and location of the song
Get that mud off my tires
Command to physically clean a car
Dirty South in the house
Prideful reference to the southern U.S. region
Comin' straight out the bayou
Originating from a unique region of Louisiana
We got that catfish fryin' comin' fresh off the bottom
Describing a local cuisine
I got a bad bitch with the buckshot ridin' shotty
Describing a female passenger in a car
Met her down in Tulane so you know she got good brain
Boasting about a romantic partner's intelligence
That Superdome, I'm supergone, Lord knows I ain't no saint
Referencing a well-known venue in New Orleans and commenting on personal vices
Do-si-do to the left, do ya one two-step
Instructions for a dance move
Spin around then drop it down
Continuation of the dance instructions
Then slide and catch your breath
Concluding the dance instructions
Now boot scoot to the right, huh
Additional dance instructions
Tip ya drink to the sky
Action for the dance move
Now act a fool, go ride the bull
Instruction to engage in a fun activity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jason Afable, Josh Logan, Willie Lee Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@VEVO
How many of you in the comments section thought about booking a trip to the bayou after watching this video? 👋
@AMemeFromHeaven
how does vevo not have any comments after a year?
@brainfreeze1925
Just 5 minutes ago I watched Willie's audition on X-factor. I did an immediate search and came across this video and WOW. I don't like country at all but his twist is amazingly good. I just might listen to him more.
@noahjohnson3884
His twist work cause it all is rooted in African American blues
@williejones
appreciate you looking me up! 🙏🏾
@brainfreeze1925
@Willie Jones I've introduced you to everyone in my family :) Thanks for getting back to me.
@reeselover2004
@BrainFreeze I just did the same thing. Love this song!
@bethearly4593
Same for me!
@montygraham145
I'm Virginia born and raised. A southern white boy. This is cool. Tear it up brother!
@backinthedaybmx7940
Hell yeah I was raised in the heart of Georgia in Athen and this is a nice jam