Hey Joe
Hey Joe's Desperate Escape: A Ballad of Love and Betrayal
Lyrics
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Joe is asked where he is going with a gun in his hand.
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Reiteration of the question about Joe's destination with the gun.
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe expresses his intent to shoot his partner for infidelity.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe caught his partner cheating with another man.
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Reiteration of Joe's intention to shoot his partner for infidelity.
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe caught his partner cheating, emphasizing the betrayal.
Huh! and that ain't cool
Expressing disapproval of the partner's actions.
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Reference to a rumor that Joe shot his mother.
You shot her down now
Affirmation of Joe shooting his mother.
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Reference to a rumor that Joe shot his partner.
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Confirmation of Joe shooting his partner and her burial.
Yeah!
Expression, possibly of Joe's satisfaction or relief.
Yes, I did, I shot her
Joe admits to shooting his partner for her infidelity.
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Joe caught his partner cheating around town.
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Reiteration of Joe shooting his partner for her unfaithfulness.
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
Joe caught his partner's infidelity and gave her the gun.
And I gave her the gun
Joe handed the gun to his partner before shooting her.
And I shot her
Confirmation of shooting his partner.
Alright
Encouragement or acknowledgment of the act.
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Encouragement to shoot the partner once more.
Yeah!
Expression of excitement or approval.
Oh dig it
An exclamation, possibly indicating enjoyment.
Oh alright
Expression of satisfaction or approval.
Hey Joe,
Joe is asked where he plans to run to now.
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Reiteration of the question about Joe's escape destination.
Hey Joe, I said
Joe is questioned again about his escape route.
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Reiteration of the question about Joe's escape destination.
I'm goin' way down south
Joe expresses his intention to go to Mexico to escape.
Way down to Mexico way
Further detail about Joe's planned escape to Mexico.
Alright
Reiteration of Joe's intention to escape south.
I'm goin' way down south
Joe emphasizes his desire to be free in the south.
Way down where I can be free
Joe expresses a desire to escape where nobody can find him.
Ain't no one gonna find me
Joe believes no one will discover him in his chosen escape location.
Ain't no hang-man gonna
Joe asserts that no hangman will put a rope around him.
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
Emphasis on avoiding legal consequences for his actions.
You better believe it right now
A confident statement affirming his belief in freedom.
I gotta go now
Joe indicates the need to leave immediately.
Hey, Joe
Joe is called again, indicating the urgency of his departure.
You better run on down
Encouragement for Joe to run away quickly.
Goodbye everybody
A farewell to everybody, possibly signaling Joe's departure.
Hey hey Joe
Reiteration of the urgency for Joe to leave.
Comment