The Ride
Hank's Warning: The Soulful Journey of a Drifter's Long, Hard Ride
Lyrics
Well I was thumbing from Montgomery
Thumbing a ride from Montgomery with a guitar on the back.
Had my guitar on my back
Describing the traveler's journey with a guitar.
When a stranger stopped beside me in an antique Cadillac
Stranger in an old Cadillac offers a ride.
He was dressed like 1950, half drunk and hollow-eyed
The stranger's appearance: dressed like 1950, half drunk, hollow-eyed.
Said, "It's a long walk to Nashville, would you like a ride, son?"
Offering a ride to Nashville, setting the stage for the journey.
Well I sat down in the front seat and turned on the radio
Sitting in the front seat, listening to sad country songs on the radio.
And them sad old songs coming out of them speakers was solid country gold
Emphasizing the quality of the country songs.
Then I noticed the stranger was ghost-white pale
The stranger's peculiar appearance is noticed.
When he asked me for a light
Stranger asks for a light, signaling a mysterious element.
And I knew there was something strange about this ride
The narrator senses something strange about the ride.
He said
The stranger initiates a conversation with the narrator.
"Drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing?
Questions about the narrator's musical abilities and experience.
Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues?
-Can you bend them, guitar strings?"
-He said, "Boy can you make folks feel what you feel inside?
Asking if the narrator can evoke emotions through music and warning about the challenges of fame.
Cause if you're big star bound let me warn ya
-It's a long, hard ride"
-Then he cried just south of Nashville
Turning back south of Nashville; the stranger reveals himself as Hank Williams.
And he turned that car around
-He said
-"This is where you get off boy. I'm goin' back to Alabam."
-As I stepped out of that Cadillac I said, "Mr., many thanks"
-He said, "You don't have to call me Mister, Mister
Hank Williams reveals his identity to the narrator.
The whole world called me Hank
-He said
Repeating the questions and warnings, emphasizing the tough journey ahead.
"Drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing?
-Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues?
-Can you bend them, guitar strings?
-He said, "Boy can you make folks feel what you feel inside?
-Cause if you're big star bound let me warn ya
-It's a long, hard ride"
-He said
Reiteration of the challenges of being "big star bound."
"Drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing?
-Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues?
-Can you bend them, guitar strings?
-He said, "Boy can you make folks feel what you feel inside?
-Cause if you're big star bound let me warn ya
-It's a long, hard ride"
-If you're big star bound let me warn ya, it's a long, hard ride
Final warning about the difficult journey for those aiming for stardom.
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