Milk Cow Blues
Willie Nelson & Shelby Lynne Lyrics
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I can tell my milk cow, could tell by the way she lows
So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home
'Cause I ain't had no milk and butter, since my cow's been gone
Now you gotta treat me right
Baby, day by day
Get out your little prayer book
'Cause you gonna need, you gonna need my help someday
And you goin' to be sorry, that you treated me this way
Well I said sail, sail on
I said sail on pretty gal, sail on
Well I said sail, sail on
I said sail on pretty gal, sail on
You're gonna keep right on sailing
Until you lose your happy home
Let me hear you make it
Well I tried everything little woman, to get along with you
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
Gon' quit my cryin', leave you alone
If you don't think I'm leavin'
You can just count the days I'm gone
'Cause you ain't gonna see me
You ain't gonna see my sweet face no more
And you goin' to be wondering
Where in this world I'm gone
"Milk Cow Blues" is a song that is telling the story of a man who wakes up in the morning and notices that his milk cow has gone missing. He believes that the cow has been taken away by someone and asks whoever took the cow to return it home. His life has been affected by the absence of milk and butter in his diet, and he needs his cow back to resume these elements of his diet. The second verse is a warning to his woman to treat him well and with respect. He suggests that she needs to pray if she wants his help in the future, or else there will be consequences. The third verse is a clear indication that he's fed up with his lady and is contemplating leaving her. He tells her that he's tried everything but can no longer continue and that he's leaving, no matter what she thinks.
One of the most interesting facts about "Milk Cow Blues" is that it is a blues standard that has been recorded by many blues artists. The song's original composer is not well known. It was first recorded in 1930 by Sleepy John Estes, and his version served as the model for numerous covers by artists such as Elvis Presley, Bob Wills, and Jerry Lee Lewis. This version by Willie Nelson and Shelby Lynne was released in 2000, and it has a country-blues feel to it. Nelson's guitar playing and Lynne's soulful voice are perfect for the song, making it a unique version.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I woke up this mornin', looked out my door
I woke up this morning and peered outside my doorway
I can tell my milk cow, could tell by the way she lows
I can tell my cow is gone from its peculiar mooing sounds
So if you see my milk cow, won't you drive her on home
Please assist me in bringing my cow back home
'Cause I ain't had no milk and butter, since my cow's been gone
Since my cow left, I haven't had any milk, butter or dairy
Now you gotta treat me right
You must treat me well
Baby, day by day
Every day, my darling
Get out your little prayer book
Retrieve your prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray
Kneel down and offer your prayers
'Cause you gonna need, you gonna need my help someday
You will require my assistance at some point
And you goin' to be sorry, that you treated me this way
Inevitably, you will regret mistreating me
Well I said sail, sail on
I once advised you to depart on a voyage
I said sail on pretty gal, sail on
I requested that you - a beautiful lady - set sail
You're gonna keep right on sailing
You will continue to sail
Until you lose your happy home
Until a time where you lose the comfort of your abode
Well I tried everything little woman, to get along with you
I attempted everything to coexist harmoniously with you
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
I will disclose my next course of action
Gon' quit my cryin', leave you alone
I will stop lamenting and depart
If you don't think I'm leavin'
If you doubt that I will be gone
You can just count the days I'm gone
You can monitor the days that I am away
'Cause you ain't gonna see me
You will not see me again
You ain't gonna see my sweet face no more
You will not see my visage again
And you goin' to be wondering
You will wonder
Where in this world I'm gone
Where in this world I have disappeared to
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KOKOMO ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind