Rig Welder
Rig Welder's Anthem: Life, Labor, and a Golden Arm
Lyrics
I can eat for two men
I have a hearty appetite, equivalent to that of two men.
And drink for three
I can consume alcohol as if I were three individuals.
I'm a black belt drunk
I am highly proficient and experienced in drinking, like a black belt in martial arts.
In the third degree
My level of intoxication is advanced, reaching the third degree.
Cowboy pass two or three cars at a time
I drive aggressively, overtaking two or three cars at a time, like a cowboy.
Yeah well I hit the lease road
I hit the lease road, likely referring to a work-related journey.
With my helper
I travel with my assistant or coworker.
First sign of rain
At the first sign of rain, we seek shelter.
We run for shelter
The speaker and their companion are known as "rig welders."
They call my kind
A reference to the speaker's profession, a skilled and prepared worker.
Rig welder
Declaration of the speaker being a rig welder.
I'm starched up and I'm ready to test
The speaker is well-dressed and prepared for a test or challenge.
Drag this job we're onto the next
They move efficiently from one job to the next.
Because I make all my money with my golden arm
The speaker emphasizes their skill in welding, a source of income.
I was born
The speaker asserts their identity, being born for rig welding.
Rig Welder
Reiteration of being a rig welder.
My old lady
Description of the speaker's partner, involved in a different occupation.
She'll cut your hair
The partner is capable of cutting hair.
She sales makeup
She sells makeup while taking care of the kids.
While the kids are there
An implied reference to drug addiction, suggesting a darker side to her life.
And by makeup
The speaker acknowledges her attractiveness in their current location.
I mean crystal meth
Confirmation of the partner's involvement with crystal meth.
Back home she's a six
Comparison of her attractiveness at home and in the current environment.
But here she's a ten
She attracts attention from men due to her appearance.
She gets a lot of looks from a lot of the men
Speculation about the fidelity of the children's paternity.
I ain't so sure that them are both my kids
The speaker has the names of the children tattooed on their neck.
But I got their names tattooed on my neck
The speaker reaffirms their commitment to the job and family.
Drag this job we're onto the next
Continuation of moving from one job to the next.
And I make all my money with my golden arm
Reiteration of earning a living through skilled welding.
I was born
Confirmation of being born for rig welding.
Rig Welder
Reiteration of being a rig welder.
I'm starched up and I'm ready to test
Reiteration of being prepared for a challenge or test.
Drag this job we're onto the next
Continuation of moving from one job to the next.
Because I make all my money with my golden arm
Emphasis on the speaker's skill in welding for income.
I was born
Confirmation of being born for rig welding.
Rig Welder
Reiteration of being a rig welder.
Because I make all my money with my golden arm
Final emphasis on the speaker's proficiency in welding.
I was born
Confirmation of being born for rig welding.
Mhh
An expressive sound, possibly indicating reflection or conclusion.
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