Jerry Jeff Walker stumbled up the stairs on his way to the
Stage with a Martin guitar and a six pack
Yeah and he was the poet of the Lone Star state
And I was young enough
To think I was good enough to be his opening act
And in a cloud of smoke he took another toke
And counted one, two, three
And I knew right there just breathing his air
What I wanted to be
Buckaroos and jaded lovers
L.A. freeway and redneck mother
Mothers who had raised a son so well
Talking outlawed, long hair loners and stoners
Singing about to come back home and
Most likely too far gone to get there
Hey, Kix, that was 76
That was just enough beer to get us through the set
And get as high as our crowd
We got 700 miles Jerry, we gotta go
You’re out of your mind; you’ll never make it on time
Why not just have another round
Oh, we were trying get paid
Just trying to get laid
Living on love
Sleeping on the stage
Just turn another page
Never thinking we’d ever grow up
Buckaroos and jaded lovers
L.A. freeway and redneck mother
Mothers who had raised a son so well
Talking outlawed, long hair loners and stoners
Singing about to come back home and
Most likely too far gone to get there
Well, the way I recall the 70’s
We were down in Austin and the establishment were
Saying we were wasting our time
The next thing I know
We were making more money than we could count
We’re all being sued by the IRS
And having more fun than the law allowed
Yeah, I’m talking loners and stoners
And sing about to come back home
And most likely too far gone to get there.
Yeah, they were all most likely too far gone to get there
Jerry Jeff Walker stumbled up the stairs on his way to the
Stage with a Martin guitar and a six pack
Tools of the trade son
A Tribute to a Texas Legend
“The Ballad Of Jerry Jeff Walker” by Brooks & Dunn is a nostalgic homage to the legendary Texas singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker. Through vivid storytelling, the lyrics paint a picture of the outlaw country scene in the 1970s, capturing the spirit of rebellion, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of music. The song’s opening lines recount the iconic imagery of Walker—guitar in hand, six-pack at his side—serving as both an inspiration and a mentor to the narrator. This sets the tone for a heartfelt reflection on the wild, unfiltered reality of life on the road and the dream of making it big in the music world.
Life on the Road and the Outlaw Spirit
The chorus and verses reference archetypal characters—”buckaroos and jaded lovers,” “loners and stoners”—embodying the free-spirited, rebellious nature of the era. There’s a bittersweet nostalgia as the narrator recalls the struggles and triumphs of his youth, the camaraderie among musicians, and the defiance of societal norms. The recurring theme of being “too far gone to get there” highlights both the allure and the cost of chasing dreams without compromise.
Song Credits
Artist: Brooks & Dunn
Songwriters: Ronnie Dunn, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip
Release Year: 2024
Label: BMG/BBR Music Group