About the song
Waylon Jennings, the outlaw country icon, often explored the darker, more melancholic side of life in his music. “Waymore’s Blues/Shine” is a prime example of this, a poignant reflection on mortality, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of existence.
The song begins with a mournful, almost dirge-like melody that immediately sets a somber tone. Jennings’ gravelly voice, a hallmark of his style, delivers the lyrics with raw emotion. The lyrics themselves are filled with references to death and loss, as Jennings contemplates his own mortality and the inevitability of the end. Yet, despite the song’s bleak subject matter, there is a glimmer of hope. The title track, “Waymore’s Blues,” is followed by “Shine,” a more upbeat number that suggests a desire for redemption or at least a temporary escape from the darkness.
“Waymore’s Blues/Shine” is a complex and multifaceted song that showcases Jennings’ ability to convey both despair and resilience. It is a testament to his artistry and his enduring appeal as one of country music’s most iconic figures.
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Lyrics
Well, I woke up this mornin’ it was drizzlin’ rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan
Jimmy he’s dead, he’s been a long time gone
Been a long time gone, a long time gone
If you want to get to heaven, gotta D-I-E
You gotta put on your coat and T-I-E
Want to get the rabbit out of the L-O-G
You gotta make a commotion like D-O-G
Like D-O-G, like D-O-G, yeah
Well, I got a good woman, what’s the matter with me?
What makes me want to love every woman I see?
I was trifling when I met her now I’m trifling again
And every woman she sees looks like the place I came in
Looks like the place I came in, yeah, woo place I came in
I got my name painted on my shirt
I ain’t no ordinary dude
I don’t have to work
I don’t have to work