Tennessee Stud
Riding the Tennessee Stud: Tales of Love, Outlaws, and Silver
Lyrics
Back about eighteen twenty-five
The narrator refers to a time around 1825.
I left Tennessee very much alive
The narrator left Tennessee while still alive.
I never would have made it through the Arkansas mud
He credits his successful journey through Arkansas mud to riding the Tennessee Stud.
If I hadn't been riding on the Tennessee Stud
The Tennessee Stud aided his passage through difficult terrain.
Had some trouble with my sweetheart's Pa
The narrator faced challenges with his sweetheart's father.
One of her brothers was an outlaw
One of her brothers was involved in illegal activities.
I wrote a letter to my Uncle Spud
He sought help from his Uncle Spud by writing a letter.
And I rode away on the Tennessee Stud
He departed on the Tennessee Stud after seeking help.
On a Tennessee Stud
Reflects on riding the Tennessee Stud.
The Tennessee Stud was long and lean
Describes the physical attributes of the Tennessee Stud.
The color of the sun and his eyes were green
Details the color and eyes of the horse.
He had the nerve and he had the blood
Highlights the horse's courage and lineage.
There never was a horse like Tennessee Stud
Emphasizes the uniqueness of the Tennessee Stud.
Drifted on down into no man's land
The narrator traveled into unclaimed territory.
Across the river called the Rio Grande
References crossing the Rio Grande river.
Raced my horse with the Spaniards foe
Competed against Spaniards in a race.
Til I got me a skin full of silver and gold
Won valuable treasure from the race.
Me and the gambler, we couldn't agree
Conflict arose between the narrator and a gambler.
We got in a fight over Tennessee
They fought over ownership or rights to the Tennessee Stud.
Pulled our guns and he fell with a thud
In the altercation, the gambler was defeated.
And I rode away on a Tennessee Stud
The narrator departed again on the Tennessee Stud.
The Tennessee Stud was long and lean
Repeated description of the Tennessee Stud.
The color of the sun and his eyes were green
Reiterates the physical attributes of the horse.
He had the nerve and he had the blood
Emphasizes the horse's bravery and lineage once more.
There never was a horse like the Tennessee Stud
Reaffirms the uniqueness of the Tennessee Stud.
I rode right back across Arkansas
The narrator returned to Arkansas.
I whipped her brother and
He confronted and defeated his sweetheart's brother.
I whipped her Pa
Also defeated the father of his sweetheart.
I found that girl with the golden hair
He found his beloved with distinct hair, riding another horse.
She was riding on a Tennessee Mare
She was on a different horse, not the Tennessee Stud.
Pretty little baby on the cabin floor
Describes a baby in the cabin.
Little horse colt playing round the door
Depicts a young horse playing outside.
I loved the girl with the golden hair
The narrator still loves the girl with golden hair.
And the Tennessee Stud loves the Tennessee Mare
Connects the love between the narrator and the girl to the bond between the Tennessee Stud and Tennessee Mare.
The Tennessee Stud was long and lean
Reiteration of the description of the Tennessee Stud.
The color of the sun and his eyes were green
Repeated emphasis on the physical attributes of the horse.
He had the nerve and he had the blood
Highlights the horse's bravery and lineage yet again.
There never was a horse like the Tennessee Stud
Reaffirms the exceptional nature of the Tennessee Stud.
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