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.
Hard luck poppa, a-countin' his toes
You can smell his feet wherever he goes
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Hard luck poppa done [? ] (note 1)
[?] luck, you got to smile
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Two old maids a-sitting in the sand
Each one wishing that the other was a man
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Two old maids done lost their style
If you want to be lucky you got to smile
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
It's early to bed and early to rise
And your girl goes out with other guys
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry bIues
You don't believe me try it yourself
I tried it and I got left
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Hard luck poppa standing in the rain
If the world was corn he couldn't buy grain
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Hard luck poppa standing in the snow
His knees knock together but he's raring to go
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
You can smell his feet wherever he goes
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Hard luck poppa done [? ] (note 1)
[?] luck, you got to smile
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Two old maids a-sitting in the sand
Each one wishing that the other was a man
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Two old maids done lost their style
If you want to be lucky you got to smile
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
It's early to bed and early to rise
And your girl goes out with other guys
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry bIues
You don't believe me try it yourself
I tried it and I got left
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Hard luck poppa standing in the rain
If the world was corn he couldn't buy grain
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Hard luck poppa standing in the snow
His knees knock together but he's raring to go
Lord, Lord, got those Brown's Ferry blues
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Brown's Ferry Blues Lyrics as written by Alton Delmore
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, JOHNNY BOND PUBLICATIONS
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