Hard to Be an Outlaw
The Struggle of Unwanted Outlaws: Willie Nelson's Poignant Reflection
Lyrics
She was cuter than a speckled pup just turned twenty one
Describing a young woman as very attractive at the age of twenty-one.
She had a lot of fun playing with my gun
Indicates a playful or flirtatious interaction involving a gun.
Just before the sun came up she couldn't take no more
Before sunrise, the woman reaches a breaking point and decides to leave.
She came undone a-cryin', a-crawlin' for the door
The woman becomes emotionally overwhelmed, crying and crawling towards the door.
Well it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Expresses the difficulty of being an outlaw when no longer pursued or wanted.
And the only friends that's left is them behind that swinging door
Emphasizes the isolation of the speaker, with only those behind the "swinging door" as friends.
And it's hard to keep your try up when your back is to the floor
Highlights the challenge of maintaining resilience when facing adversity.
And it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Reiterates the difficulty of being an outlaw without the thrill of being pursued.
The record people nowadays keep spinning round and round
Criticizes contemporary music producers for creating inauthentic country songs.
Songs 'bout the back roads that they never have been down
Refers to songs about rural life, suggesting the lack of genuine experience in the lyrics.
They go and call it country, but that ain't the way it sounds
Comments on the misrepresentation of country music in the modern music industry.
It's enough to make a renegade want to terrorize the town
Expresses frustration, making a rebel contemplate causing chaos in the town.
And it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Repeats the challenges of being an outlaw without being actively pursued.
And the only friends that's left is them behind that swinging door
Reiterates the speaker's loneliness, with the swinging door symbolizing a bar or saloon.
And it's hard to keep your try up when your back is to the floor
Reemphasizes the struggle to maintain optimism when facing difficulties.
And it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Repeats the idea of the hardships of being an unwanted outlaw.
White lightning is the horse I ride, pedal to the floor
Describes "white lightning" as a fast and powerful mode of transportation.
He blows fire from his nostrils and runs like Man-O-War
Depicts the horse as formidable, possibly reflecting the speaker's resilience.
Someday we both may wind up in some junkyard on the side
Suggests a potential fate of being discarded, but until then, they will continue to rebel.
But until that day you can bet your ass we're gonna whip and ride
Expresses determination to continue living boldly and resisting conformity.
But it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Reiterates the challenges faced by an outlaw who is no longer actively pursued.
And the only friends that's left is them behind that swinging door
Restates the speaker's limited social circle, confined to those in a bar or saloon.
And it's hard to keep your try up when your back is to the floor
Reemphasizes the difficulty of maintaining resilience when faced with adversity.
And it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Repeats the theme of being an outlaw without the excitement of being wanted.
And it's hard to be an outlaw who ain't wanted anymore
Reiterates the challenges of being an outlaw when no longer in demand or pursued.
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