Kindly Turn the Bed Down, Drusilla
Wandering Troubadour's Lament: Drusilla's Call
Lyrics
Kindly turn the bed down, Drusilla
Expressing a request to Drusilla to prepare the bed, suggesting the speaker's imminent return.
I'll be home shortly
Reiterating the expectation of returning home soon.
I left the heavens for them country taverns
Describing the speaker's departure from heavenly or idealized places to more down-to-earth country taverns.
Playing this ol' devil's box
Indicating the speaker's engagement in playing a fiddle or similar instrument associated with the devil's music.
She can read them shape notes
Highlighting someone's ability to read musical notes and possibly referencing a traditional singing style.
And sing like a yellowhammer
Complimenting the person's singing abilities with a reference to the yellowhammer bird.
But she don't go in for no foolishness
Emphasizing the person's avoidance of nonsense or foolish behavior.
In these long years of want
Reflecting on an extended period of economic hardship or scarcity.
I make my wage on the road, good lord
Stating the speaker's source of income derived from traveling.
42 and living out of my van
Describing the speaker's age and living conditions, suggesting a transient lifestyle.
I make my wage on the road, good lord
Repeating the assertion of earning a living while on the road.
A mortal man's work is sun to sun
Acknowledging the cyclical nature of a mortal man's work from sunrise to sunset.
Oh, but mine it ain't never done
Expressing the perpetual nature of the speaker's work, contrasting it with the usual completion of tasks at sunset.
On the low end of the country
Locating the speaker in a less affluent or prestigious part of the country.
Way down the mouth of the Red
Describing a specific geographical location, emphasizing its remoteness.
Riding the high of a good payday
Expressing a positive feeling after a successful financial endeavor.
Walk me back, Little Rock, walk me back
Asking to be guided back to Little Rock, possibly a metaphor for returning to a familiar place.
I make my wage on the road, good lord
Repeating the statement about earning a living while on the road.
42 and living out of my van
Reiterating the speaker's age and transient living conditions.
I make my wage on the road, good lord
Repeating the assertion of earning a living while on the road.
A mortal man's work is sun to sun
Repeating the acknowledgment of a mortal man's cyclical work.
Oh, but mine it ain't never done
Re-emphasizing the perpetual nature of the speaker's work.
Kindly turn the bed down, Drusilla
Repeating the request to Drusilla to prepare the bed, suggesting the speaker's imminent return.
I'll be home shortly
Reiterating the expectation of returning home soon.
I left the heavens for them country taverns
Reiterating the speaker's departure from heavenly or idealized places to more down-to-earth country taverns.
Playing this ol' devil's box
Reiterating the speaker's engagement in playing a fiddle or similar instrument associated with the devil's music.
I left the heavens for them country taverns
Repeating the notion of leaving heavenly places for country taverns and playing the devil's box.
Playing this ol' devil's box
Repeating the speaker's engagement in playing a fiddle or similar instrument associated with the devil's music.
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