Lyrics
Well I woke up this mornin'
Expressing the start of the day or a situation.
Looked outdoors
Observing the surroundings.
I can tell my milk cow
Recognizing the singer's milk cow.
I can tell by the way she lows
Noticing the cow's lowing as an indication.
If you see my milk cow
Requesting assistance in finding the milk cow.
Please drive her on home
Asking for help in returning the cow home.
Cause I ain't had no milk and butter
Expressing the lack of milk and butter since the cow's absence.
Since that cows been gone
Emphasizing the impact of the cow's departure.
Well you gotta treat me right honey
Requesting proper treatment.
Day by Day
Emphasizing the need for consistent good treatment.
Get out your little prayer book
Suggesting a religious reference, possibly for guidance.
Get down upon your knees and pray
Encouraging prayer for a positive outcome.
Cause you're gonna need me
Asserting the future need for assistance.
You're gonna need my help someday
Stating the inevitability of requiring help.
Lord you're gonna be sorry
Warning of future regret for mistreatment.
Ou, you treated me this a way
Expressing dissatisfaction with current treatment.
Aw, now take it away boys
Instrumental break, no explicit meaning.
Sail on, Sail on, Sail on little gal, Sail on
Using sailing metaphor, advising someone to move forward.
Sail on, Sail on, Sail on little gal, Sail on
Reiterating the advice to keep going.
You're gonna keep right on sailing
Stating the continuation of the journey.
Till you lose your happy home
Anticipating the loss of a happy home due to persistent actions.
Well good evening
Greeting the evening.
Don't that sun look good going down
Appreciating the sunset.
I said well good evening
Repeating the observation of the evening.
Don't that sun look good going down
Reiterating the beauty of the setting sun.
Don't that ol' army cot look lonely
Noting the loneliness of the bed when the lover is absent.
When your lover ain't no place around
Expressing the emotional impact of the lover's absence.
Well I tried everything baby
Sharing efforts made to improve the relationship.
To get along with you
Declaring the intention to reveal a decision.
Now I'm gonna tell you
Announcing a forthcoming action or change.
What I'm gonna do
Expressing determination to stop feeling sad.
I'm gonna stop my cryin'
Deciding to distance oneself from the partner.
Gonna leave you alone
Asserting independence from the relationship.
And if you don't think I'm leavin' big momma
Challenging doubts about leaving.
Just count the days I'm gone
Counting the days to emphasize the departure.
You ain't gonna see me
Assuring invisibility after leaving.
You ain't gonna see my sweet face no more
Reiterating the absence of the singer's face.
Lord you gonna be wondering honey
Anticipating the partner's curiosity about the departure.
Where in this world I've gone
Leaving with a reference to the "Milk Cow Blues."
Milk Cow Blues
Reiteration of the song title.
Comment