Me and Paul
Willie Nelson Lyrics
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But I'm finally standing upright on the ground
After taking several readings
I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound
I guess Nashville was the roughest
But I know I've said the same about them all
We received our education
Almost busted in Laredo
But for reasons that I'd rather not disclose
But if you're staying in a motel there and leave
Just don't leave nothing in your clothes
And at the airport in Milwaukee
They refused to let us board the plane at all
They said we looked suspicious
But I believe they like to pick on me and Paul
It's been rough and rocky traveling
But I'm finally standing upright on the ground
After taking several readings
I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound
guess Nashville was the roughest
But I know I've said the same about them all
We received our education
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul
On a package show in Buffalo
With us and Kitty Wells and Charlie Pride
The show was long and we're just sitting there
And we'd come to play and not just for the ride
Well, we drank a lot of whiskey
So I don't know if we went on that night at all
But I don't think they even missed us
I guess Buffalo ain't geared for me and Paul
It's been rough and rocky traveling
But I'm finally standing upright on the ground
After taking several readings
I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound
I guess Nashville was the roughest
But I know I've said the same about them all
We received our education
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul
The song, "Me and Paul," by Willie Nelson recounts his experiences on the road with his longtime drummer, Paul English. The song reflects on the ups and downs of their travels on the road and the camaraderie that developed between them. The opening lines about standing upright despite the rough travels, indicate that the two have faced many challenges on the road but have managed to stay together and maintain their careers in the music industry.
The verse about Nashville being the roughest refers to the competitive nature of the music industry in Nashville, where musicians often have to fight to be noticed and advance their careers. However, they also received an education while traveling across the nation playing different cities, forming lasting bonds and friendships along the way.
The second half of the song explores additional challenges they faced while touring, such as near arrest in Laredo, Texas and being refused boarding in Milwaukee due to looking suspicious. They drank heavily in Buffalo, leading to not remembering if they even played their set that night. The verse highlights their humility as performers, acknowledging that they're not always the best fit for every city and audience.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been rough and rocky traveling
The journey hasn't been easy
But I'm finally standing upright on the ground
Despite the difficulties, I'm still here
After taking several readings
After assessing my experiences
I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound
I'm shocked that I'm still relatively sane
I guess Nashville was the roughest
Nashville was a tough city
But I know I've said the same about them all
But every city has had its challenges
We received our education
We learned a lot
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul
Throughout the US, me and Paul traveled and learned
Almost busted in Laredo
We were nearly arrested in Laredo
But for reasons that I'd rather not disclose
But I won't say why
But if you're staying in a motel there and leave
Just don't forget to check your belongings before you go
Just don't leave nothing in your clothes
Make sure you don't leave anything behind
And at the airport in Milwaukee
When we were at Milwaukee airport
They refused to let us board the plane at all
They didn't let us get on the plane
They said we looked suspicious
They thought we were up to something
But I believe they like to pick on me and Paul
I think they were targeting us for no good reason
On a package show in Buffalo
When we were part of a group show in Buffalo
With us and Kitty Wells and Charlie Pride
Alongside other musicians like Kitty Wells and Charlie Pride
The show was long and we're just sitting there
The show was dragging on and we were getting bored
And we'd come to play and not just for the ride
We came to perform, not just to be there
Well, we drank a lot of whiskey
And then we had a lot of drinks
So I don't know if we went on that night at all
So I don't remember if we actually performed or not
But I don't think they even missed us
But I don't think anyone noticed we were gone
I guess Buffalo ain't geared for me and Paul
Maybe Buffalo wasn't the right scene for us
It's been rough and rocky traveling
The journey has continued to be challenging
But I'm finally standing upright on the ground
But I'm still standing tall
After taking several readings
After reflecting on my experiences
I'm surprised to find my mind's still fairly sound
I'm still surprised I haven't lost it yet
I guess Nashville was the roughest
Nashville was certainly tough
But I know I've said the same about them all
But every city has had its own difficulties
We received our education
But through it all, we've learned a lot
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul
Traveling the US has taught me and Paul a lot
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chuck Heppner
๐ผ
"Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears - it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more - it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity."
Oliver Sacks
"Music seems to be the bridge over the gulf between form and the formless. There is nothing better than music as a means for upliftment of the soul.
Music is the language of the soul; and for two people of different nations or races to unite, there is no better means than music. One day, music will take its rightful place as the true religion of Mankind."
Hazrat Inayat Khan
Chuck Heppner
Tak @Regina Regina. I share your sentiments, but Willie is only 89 years young.
He's not just a national treasure, he's God's gift to the world. Long may he live! ๐๐ป
"The idea is to die young as late as possible." ~ Ashley Montagu
"We have been conditioned to see the passing of time as an adversary. But time is yet another of God's creations, and as such, it has a life of its own.
Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.
Drink, eat, jump and dance as much as you can stand tonight, but not too much, because you are 90 now.
Remember that in a hall of perfect darkness, totally dark, if you light one small candle, its light will be seen from afar; its precious light will be seen by everyone. Our mission on earth is to recognize the void - inside and outside of us - and fill it."
Menachem Mendel Schneerson
โTraditional theories of human creativity ascribe it to inspiration from a higher source working through the creative individual, who acts as a channel. The same conception underlies the notion of genius; originally the genius was not the person himself but his presiding god or spirit.โ
Rupert Sheldrake, The Rebirth of Nature: The Greening of Science and God
Regina Regina
Hi Chuck Hapโฆ..!
Appreciate your response and True
Words. You are absolutely right. Somehow I find itโs interesting,regarding your Great long Post. ๐So much. Of course I admit I made a mistake. I want Willie Nelson to live as long as possible. Yes I agree โWNโ is a National treasure, & All County๐ถFans Adores him/ his Amazing Songs. + Godโs talented Voice.๐๐๐๐
I also know he has stop producing New Albums. Same goes with Alan Jacksonโฆ
May Good Lord Bless them. All My Country Heroes who had passed away. They are in my daily prayers. R.I.P
Anyhow their wonderful voices still Lingering on.
And we can still enjoy them.
Mr Chuck Hโฆ Be safe and well healthy. We must get the Best of โOUREโ lifeโs every minute and Hour. With Godโs Blessing. I take one day at a time. Tomorrow is in Not โBELONโto me. God give life and when itโs Wright time we must go to him and continue New life in HAVEN ๐ง๐ฝ๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ๐ผ๐ป. Once again thank you โAHโfor your lovely long post. I enjoy reading. Best greetings to you Danish fan of โWNโ Etc. Btw, Nelson is a Typical Danish ๐ฉ๐ฐSir Name. ๐๐โ๏ธ๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ/GB. โAmโ
Ams Patriots Amen ๐. โ๏ธ๐ฝ๐บ๐ธโ๏ธ๐บ๐ธโ๏ธ๐ฝ๐บ๐ธ
DK. ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ฐโ๏ธ.
Chuck Heppner
Thank you for your kind response @Regina Regina ๐๐ป
My youngest grandson Lukas, was born in Denmark.
IMO, Willie Nelson is THE elder statesman for Honkytonk, and Country music.
He's a Saint, who was once an outlaw.๐ค ๐
โMany of the insights of the saint stem from his experience as a sinner.โ
Eric Hoffer
"(Songwriting) It's a gift. It all comes from somewhere. I started out really young, when I was four, five, six, writing poems, before I could play an instrument. I was writing about things when I was eight or 10 years old that I hadn't lived long enough to experience.
When songs fall from the sky, all I can do is catch them before they hit the ground.
Oh, I think it's definitely spiritual. All music is. I think it's maybe one of the highest forms of spirituality.
We are the same. There is no difference anywhere in the world. People are people. They laugh, cry, feel, and love, and music seems to be the commons denomination that brings us all together. Music cuts through all boundaries and goes right to the soul." ~ Willie Nelson
Orville Lover
I hope you can feel the love we have for you and the appreciation for all the great music. You make a lot of difference in our lives and in this world. Thank you for speaking up for truth and justice even when itโs not popular or safe to do so. Youโve worn your heart on your sleeve and we love you for it. โฎ๏ธ๐บ๐ธโค๏ธ
Samuel Sommerfeldt
No one does it better than you Willie.
Mary Smith
This is my first time hearing this song. Just loved it as itโs a little bit more of Willieโs history. โค๏ธ
Rick Eckart
He & drummer Paul English were together for over 60 years
anella d'ambrosio
โ@Rick Eckartciao amico! ๐โโ๏ธ๐๐๐๐
Marcos Ferro
Olรก Willie Nelson vocรช รฉ incrรญvel sua voz estรก melhor que nunca , eu tambรฉm gosto muito do Lucas Nelson . Eu queria muito um dia poder te conhecer pessoalmente. Eu adorei estรก mรบsica. Obrigado por vocรช existir, Que Deus te abenรงoe poderosamente.
Linda Lyte
You are a Gift to the ....World...
Thank you for sharing the gifts( Vocals/ Musician/ Writer/ Composer) that the good Lord has bestowed upon you!!!!
Continued Blessings to you and your family,Mr.Nelson.
Yenney Rossi
Bellissima canzone e interpretazione caro Willie Nelson ๐๐ถ Grazie mille per la condivisione ๐ un meritato applauso ๐ A dopo ๐ฎ๐นโ๏ธ๐
Oldemar Gloria
Linda mรบsica ๐ง๐ท ๐ถ ๐ง๐ท ๐ถ ๐ง๐ท
Jeff65
Willie,
Iโm 58 and youโve always been a part of my life. Yesterdays wine album when released was terribly underrated. It is one
Of my personal favorites of yours along with The Pamper demos Shotgun Willie, Red Headed stranger & Phases and stages. Love First rose of spring as well. Hereโs wishing you a very happy 90th birthday on 4/29/2023. Thank you for everything sir!