I'll Go Down Swinging
Swinging Through Heartache: Porter Wagoner's Tale of Love's Last Stand
Lyrics
The one I love don't want me hangin' 'round
The person I love doesn't want me around.
All she does is put me on and put me down
She consistently alternates between praising and demeaning me.
Tonight, she's with a stranger at a party in her home
Currently, she is at a party in her home with a stranger.
And I'm here at the tavern, gettin' stoned
While she is at the party, I am at the tavern, drinking heavily.
'Cause if I gotta go, I'll go down swinging
If I have to face a difficult situation, I will face it with determination.
Where there's lights and laughter
I'll confront challenges in places with vibrant activity.
Booze and blondes and lots of sad, sad singing
These places include lights, laughter, alcohol, and attractive women, but there is also a sense of melancholy through singing.
I'll sober up tomorrow and cry all day I know
After the ordeal, I'll become sober and spend the next day crying.
At least I'll go down swinging, what a swinging way to go
Despite the hardships, I'll face them boldly, and it's portrayed as a unique and assertive way to confront challenges.
I'll dance with all the girls and buy the wine
I'll engage with other women and indulge in wine and dancing.
Play the jukebox 'til I'm down to my last dime
I'll continue enjoying music until I exhaust my financial resources.
She thinks she made a fool of me by loving someone else
She believes she humiliated me by loving someone else.
She should see me make a fool out of myself
I will prove her wrong by making a spectacle of myself.
'Cause if I gotta go, I'll go down swingin'
If faced with a challenging situation, I'll confront it with determination, reiterating the earlier sentiment.
Where there's lights and laughter
Similar to line 7, reiterating the preference for confronting challenges in lively environments.
Booze and blondes and lots of sad, sad singing
Repetition of the elements in line 8, emphasizing the mix of joy and sorrow.
I'll sober up tomorrow and cry all day I know
Reiteration of the aftermath—sobering up and spending a day in sorrow.
At least I'll go down swinging, what a swinging way to go
Despite the challenges, confronting them boldly is depicted as a distinctive and assertive approach.
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