The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-rolling on over the plains
With the curtains flappin' and the driver a-snappin' the reins
A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
Whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-headin' on over the hills
Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
Dangerous land, no time to delay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
We're headin' straight for town, loaded down with a fancy cargo
Care of Wells & Fargo, Illinois, boy
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-comin' on over the crest
Like a homing-pigeon that's a-hankerin' after its nest
Twenty-three miles we've covered today
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
The wheels go turning round, homeward-bound
Can't you hear them hummin'
Happy times are comin' for to stay, hey
We'll be home tonight by the light of the silvery moon
And my heart's a-thumpin' like a mandolin a-plunkin' a tune
When I get home, I'm fixin' to stay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Whip-crack away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Introducing Henry Miller
Just as busy as a fizzy sasparilla
Ain't a showman any smarter operates the Golden Garter
When the cream of Deadwood City comes to dine
And I'm glad to say he's a very goof friend of mine
Hi Joe, say, where d'ya get them fancy clothes?
I know, off some fella's laundry line
Hi Beau, aren't you a prairie rose
Smellin' like a watermelon vine
Here's a man the sheriff watches
On his gun there's more than twenty-seven notches
On the draw there's no one faster and you're flirting with disaster
When Bill Hickok's reputation you malign
And I'm glad to say he's a very good friend of a friend of mine
Oh, my throat's as dry as a desert thistle in May
In the Golden Garter, gonna wet my whistle today
Last to the bar's a three-legged crow
Set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe
Set 'em up Joe
With the curtains flappin' and the driver a-snappin' the reins
A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
Whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-headin' on over the hills
Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
Dangerous land, no time to delay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
We're headin' straight for town, loaded down with a fancy cargo
Care of Wells & Fargo, Illinois, boy
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-comin' on over the crest
Like a homing-pigeon that's a-hankerin' after its nest
Twenty-three miles we've covered today
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
The wheels go turning round, homeward-bound
Can't you hear them hummin'
Happy times are comin' for to stay, hey
We'll be home tonight by the light of the silvery moon
And my heart's a-thumpin' like a mandolin a-plunkin' a tune
When I get home, I'm fixin' to stay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Whip-crack away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Introducing Henry Miller
Just as busy as a fizzy sasparilla
Ain't a showman any smarter operates the Golden Garter
When the cream of Deadwood City comes to dine
And I'm glad to say he's a very goof friend of mine
Hi Joe, say, where d'ya get them fancy clothes?
I know, off some fella's laundry line
Hi Beau, aren't you a prairie rose
Smellin' like a watermelon vine
Here's a man the sheriff watches
On his gun there's more than twenty-seven notches
On the draw there's no one faster and you're flirting with disaster
When Bill Hickok's reputation you malign
And I'm glad to say he's a very good friend of a friend of mine
Oh, my throat's as dry as a desert thistle in May
In the Golden Garter, gonna wet my whistle today
Last to the bar's a three-legged crow
Set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe
Set 'em up Joe
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Deadwood Stage (Whip Crack-Away) Lyrics as written by Sammy Fain Paul Francis Webster
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away) [From Calamity Jane] song meanings
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Great version of a great song,
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