Hold What You've Got
Embrace What's Yours: Lessons in Love and Loyalty from Hank Williams Jr.
Lyrics
You had better hold on
You should keep a firm grasp on what you currently possess
Hold on to what you got
Hold onto the things you have
You had better hold on
Emphasizes the importance of retaining what you possess
Hold on to what you got
Reiterates the need to hold onto your current belongings
'Cause if you think nobody wants it
Indicates that if you believe no one values it, discarding it might reveal its worth
Just throw it away and you will see
Suggests that someone else may appreciate or claim it once discarded
Someone will have it before you can count
Highlights the swift acquisition by others if you dispose of it
One, two, three, yes, they will, yes, they will
Emphasizes the rapidity of someone else taking it, using a counting metaphor
Listen fellas, you know, it's not all the time
Addresses men, conveying that having a good woman is not always common
That a man can have a good woman
Expresses the rarity of a man having a genuinely good woman
A woman that he can call his very own
Describes the ideal woman as one a man can truly call his own
A woman who'll stay right there at home
Emphasizes a woman's loyalty to stay at home and care for the family
And mind the children while he's gone to work
Depicts a woman's dedication to managing household responsibilities while the man is at work
A woman who'll have his dinner cooked
Illustrates the notion of a woman preparing dinner for her returning man
When he comes home
Describes the setting when a man comes home to a prepared meal
Where some men make mistakes is when they go out
Points out a common mistake where some men stay out, assuming no other man desires their woman
And stay because they feel that no other man
Highlights the error of presuming exclusive desire for one's partner
Wants his woman but him, but listen
If you think no other man wants her
Suggests that someone else may desire her once she is discarded
Just throw her away and you will see
Reiterates the idea that another man will claim her quickly
Some man will have her before you can count
Uses counting metaphor to emphasize the speed of someone else taking her
One, two, three, yes, they will, yes, he will
Ha, ha, listen girls, this goes for you, too
Extends the advice to women, acknowledging their experiences with good men
Because you know I've seen so many women
Highlights the observation of women who had many good men in their lives
Who've had so many good men in life
Reflects on women who had valuable men in their lives
Men who would stand by 'em through thick and thin
Describes men who support women through various challenges
Men who would go to work everyday and bring home
Depicts men who work diligently and provide for their families
Their hard earned pay
Highlights the commitment of men to bring home their earnings
Men who would give their women anything that their
Emphasizes men fulfilling their women's desires
Little heart desired
Where some women make mistakes
Identifies the error of assuming exclusive desire from one's partner
Is when their men go out and let 'em play
Warns against staying with a man who assumes no other woman wants him
They would stay because they felt that no other
Woman wanted him but her, listen
Advises that if you believe no other woman wants him, discarding him would reveal otherwise
If you think that no other woman wants him
Reiterates the idea that another woman will claim him quickly
Just pitch him out in the streets and you will see
Uses counting metaphor to emphasize the speed of someone else taking him
Some woman will have your man before you can count
One, two, three, yes, you will, yes, you will
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