About the song
Waylon Jennings and the Outlaw Movement: A Legacy of Authenticity
In the annals of country music history, few names resonate with the rebellious spirit and heartfelt authenticity of Waylon Jennings. A true pioneer of the “Outlaw” movement of the 1970s, Jennings broke free from the confines of Nashville’s rigid traditionalism, forging a sound that was both raw and deeply personal. His music, infused with elements of blues, rock, and even jazz, spoke to the struggles and triumphs of the common man, earning him a devoted following and a place among country music’s elite.
A Song of Heartbreak and Resilience
Among Jennings’s vast repertoire of iconic songs, “Waymore’s Blues” stands as a poignant ballad that encapsulates the essence of his artistry. Written by Jennings and his close collaborator, Curtis Buck, the song was released in 1975 as part of the album Dreaming My Dreams. It quickly became a country staple, climbing to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and cementing Jennings’s status as a country music outlaw.
A Poetic Exploration of Loss and Longing
“Waymore’s Blues” is a masterclass in country storytelling, weaving a tale of heartbreak and resilience set against the backdrop of a weary traveler’s journey. The song’s narrator, a man named Waymore, is haunted by the loss of his beloved, his grief etched into every line of Jennings’s weathered vocals. As Waymore travels from town to town, his memories and regrets weigh heavily upon him, the blues a constant companion.
A Musical Tapestry of Country Influences
Jennings’s delivery of “Waymore’s Blues” is a masterstroke of emotional expression. His voice, imbued with a world-weariness that belies his youthful years, conveys the depths of Waymore’s despair, while the song’s instrumentation, a delicate blend of acoustic guitar, fiddle, and pedal steel, adds a layer of melancholic beauty. The song’s arrangement, a slow, deliberate waltz, mirrors the weary pace of Waymore’s journey, each note echoing the weight of his sorrow.
A Legacy of Musical Truth-Telling
“Waymore’s Blues” is more than just a country song; it’s a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and touch the human spirit. Jennings’s ability to capture the raw emotions of love and loss, coupled with his unwavering commitment to musical authenticity, has made him an enduring icon of country music. “Waymore’s Blues” stands as a beacon of his legacy, a reminder of the transformative power of music to speak to the soul.
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Lyrics
“Waymore’s Blues”
Well, I woke up this mornin’ it was drizzlin’ rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan
Jimmy he’s dead, he’s been a long time gone
Been a long time gone, a long time goneIf you wanna get to heaven, gotta D-I-E
You’ve gotta put on your coat and T-I-E
If you wanna get the rabbit out of the L-O-G
You’ve gotta make a commotion like D-O-G
Now, like D-O-G, like D-O-G, yeahWell, I’ve got a good woman, what’s the matter with me?
What makes me wanna love every woman I see?
I was travelin’ when I met her, now I’m travelin’ again
And every woman she sees looks like a place I came in
Looks like a place I came in, a place I came inI’ve got my name painted on my shirt
I ain’t no ordinary dude
I don’t have to work
I don’t have to work, no