Lyrics
Well, Johnny come in last night
Johnny arrived last night
Man, he was an awful sight
Johnny's appearance was distressing or alarming
The bartender said, "Hey Johnny!
The bartender informs Johnny about the cancellation of the band for the night
There'll be no band tonight"
No live music due to issues with the piano player
"The piano-man's drunk
The pianist is intoxicated
He been down in the dumps
The pianist is feeling down or depressed
The drummer's in bed
The drummer is in bed with a headache
He got a pain in his head
The drummer is unwell
No Johnny
Reiteration that there will be no band tonight due to various issues
There'll be no band tonight"
Confirmation of the band cancellation
The clock was stickin' close to ten
Description of the time on the clock, nearing ten
The mailman came runnin' in
The mailman rushes into the scene
He said, "Any-body here named Johnny?
The mailman inquires about Johnny's presence
I got a special deliv'ry for him"
The mailman has a special delivery for Johnny
"It's from a woman he knows
The content of the delivery is from a woman named Bayou Rose
It's from his Bayou Rose
The letter is from Johnny's dream girl
The girl of his dreams
She wants a wedding ring
wants a wedding ring"
Explanation of the sender's intentions
Love, Rosie
Signature at the end of the letter
"I've got a letter for him"
Reiteration of the mailman's purpose
Well Johnny jumped up from his beer
Johnny responds affirmatively to the mailman
Told the mailman, "Yes I'm here"
Johnny confirms his presence
An' then he read it out loud to the bar room crowd
Johnny reads the letter aloud to the people in the bar
But before they had a chance to cheer
Before they can react, Johnny announces his wedding plans
He said "Call up the band
Johnny orders the band to be called
I'm a happy man
Johnny expresses his happiness
I want them to play
Johnny wants the band to play on his wedding day
On my wedding day"
Johnny's specific request for the band
When he told them
The crowd has a chance to cheer
They had a chance to cheer
The piano-man came even though it was rainin'
The piano player arrives despite the rain
The drummer was drummn' just like an insane man
The drummer is playing energetically, resembling insanity
They tore off the roof, they knocked down the doors
The band creates a lively atmosphere, breaking barriers
And Johnny an' his bride drove away in her Ford
Johnny and his bride leave in a Ford car
Slappin' the dash to the beat of the band
They celebrate inside the car to the beat of the music
Draggin' behind them a string of tin cans
Traditional celebration with tin cans tied to the car
And they ain't been back yet but I know when they do
Johnny and his bride have not returned yet, but it is anticipated
Johnny's gonna play some of the sweetest blues
When they return, Johnny will play some sweet blues
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