When I Leave Here
Journey Beyond: A Whippoorwill's Cheers
Lyrics
Well I was eighteen, old Mr. Green said boy let me ask you something
Mr. Green, an older figure, questions the narrator about their thoughts upon leaving at age eighteen.
When you leave here, will you go upstairs
Mr. Green asks if the narrator has considered what awaits them after leaving, specifically referring to going "upstairs."
What you think is coming
Mr. Green inquires about the narrator's expectations regarding the future.
Are you thinking heaven or hell
The narrator is prompted to contemplate whether they anticipate a heavenly or hellish outcome.
Boy, can you tell me what you think
Mr. Green seeks the narrator's thoughts and beliefs regarding the afterlife.
As he sat in his chair, combing his hair, cracked a cold one and started to drink
Mr. Green, engaged in routine activities, creates a casual atmosphere for discussion, opening a drink.
I said, Heaven's pretty nice from way out here
The narrator responds positively, envisioning a pleasant afterlife with references to cold ice and beer in heaven.
They got real cold ice, colder beer
The narrator describes heavenly amenities like cold ice and beer, as well as a mud hole accessible via an old dirt road.
And an old mud hole down the ol' dirt road I could get to pretty fast
The narrator mentions an enjoyable spot (mud hole) that they can reach quickly.
I'll live right on the edge of the clouds in a big old mansion
The narrator imagines residing in a mansion on the edge of clouds with the soothing sound of whippoorwills.
With the sound of the whippoorwills
Reference to the pleasant atmosphere, including the sound of whippoorwills, inducing chills.
Oh, it'll give you chills
The narrator anticipates a joyous reunion with friends in heaven.
See all my buddies waiting for me, throwing down and saying cheers
Expression of excitement about the narrator's envisioned departure.
When I leave here
Reiteration of the narrator's positive outlook when leaving.
My grandma and my grandpa said Son, you better get it right
Grandparents advise the narrator to make the right choices and avoid staying out late, drinking excessively.
Don't want to stayin' out late, callin' in at 8:00, drinking too much Coors Light
The narrator asserts their moral standing and lack of harm towards others.
But from where I stand, I'm a pretty good man, ain't never done nobody wrong
The narrator reflects on their integrity despite potential concerns from others.
So when they ask me where I'm going when I leave here
The narrator responds to inquiries about their destination, reiterating a positive perception of heaven.
I said, Heaven's pretty nice from way out here
Reiteration of the narrator's positive vision of heaven with specific references to cold ice and beer.
They got real cold ice, colder beer
Continuation of the description of heavenly pleasures and a familiar mud hole.
And an old mud hole down the ol' dirt road I could get to pretty fast
The narrator highlights a preferred location accessible through an old dirt road.
I'll live right on the edge of the clouds in a big old mansion
Imagining a heavenly residence on the edge of clouds with the atmospheric sound of whippoorwills.
With the sound of the whippoorwills
Reference to the atmospheric ambiance, inducing chills.
Oh, it'll give you chills
Anticipation of a joyous reunion with friends in heaven.
See all my buddies waiting for me, throwing down and saying cheers
Excitement about the envisioned departure, including toasts with friends.
When I leave here
Reiteration of the narrator's positive outlook when leaving.
I ain't worth it, I ain't worthy, going upstairs
The narrator expresses humility, stating they are not worthy of going upstairs.
And I ain't Jesus, but Lord, I mean it, I can see it crystal clear
The narrator acknowledges they are not Jesus but expresses a clear understanding of their beliefs.
Yeah, Heaven's pretty nice from way out here
Restatement of the positive perception of heaven, emphasizing its appeal from a distance.
They got real cold ice, colder beer
Continuation of the description of heavenly pleasures and a familiar mud hole.
And an old mud hole down the ol' dirt road I could get to pretty fast
The narrator reiterates the accessibility of a preferred location via an old dirt road.
I'll live right on the edge of the clouds in a big old mansion
Imagining a heavenly residence on the edge of clouds with the atmospheric sound of whippoorwills.
With the sound of the whippoorwills
Reference to the atmospheric ambiance, inducing chills.
Oh, it'll give you chills
Anticipation of a joyous reunion with friends in heaven.
See all my buddies waiting for me, throwing down and saying cheers
Excitement about the envisioned departure, including toasts with friends.
When I leave here
Reiteration of the narrator's positive outlook when leaving.
When I leave here
Final affirmation of the narrator's positive vision upon leaving.
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