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.
This was the first blues I ever learnt from
Bob Wells and the Texas Playboys
called the Milk Cow Blues
Yeah
Well I did woke up this mornin'
And I looks out my door-oor
Hey, I could tell my milkcow
I could tell by the way she lows
So if you see... my milk cow
Well drive, drive, help her back ho-ome
Cause I ain't had no milk and butter
Long since the cow's been go-one
Play your Harmonica Steve, yeah
Well I tried everythi-ing woman
Just to get alo-ong with you
And now I'm goin' to tell you
What I'm gonna do-oo
Well you know I'm gonna stop a-cryin'
I'a a-gonna leave you alo-one
If you don't think I'm leavin', honey
Count the days I'm gone
'Cause you're gonna nee-ee-ee-eed
Your lovin' daddy's help some day
And you will definitely be sorry
'Cause you treat your man the wrong way-ay-ay-ay
Play your fiddle Carl, yeah, ah-ah
Don't you fiddle it son, make it feel good, yeah
Play T.J. - from Chicago
Well, just treat your man right, woman
Day by day-ay
And get out your little prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray
'Cause you're gonna nee-ee-ee-eed
A lovin' daddy's help some day-ay
And you are goin' to be sorry
You just treat your old man the wrong way-ay
Bob Wells and the Texas Playboys
called the Milk Cow Blues
Yeah
Well I did woke up this mornin'
And I looks out my door-oor
Hey, I could tell my milkcow
I could tell by the way she lows
So if you see... my milk cow
Well drive, drive, help her back ho-ome
Cause I ain't had no milk and butter
Long since the cow's been go-one
Play your Harmonica Steve, yeah
Well I tried everythi-ing woman
Just to get alo-ong with you
And now I'm goin' to tell you
What I'm gonna do-oo
Well you know I'm gonna stop a-cryin'
I'a a-gonna leave you alo-one
If you don't think I'm leavin', honey
Count the days I'm gone
'Cause you're gonna nee-ee-ee-eed
Your lovin' daddy's help some day
And you will definitely be sorry
'Cause you treat your man the wrong way-ay-ay-ay
Play your fiddle Carl, yeah, ah-ah
Don't you fiddle it son, make it feel good, yeah
Play T.J. - from Chicago
Well, just treat your man right, woman
Day by day-ay
And get out your little prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray
'Cause you're gonna nee-ee-ee-eed
A lovin' daddy's help some day-ay
And you are goin' to be sorry
You just treat your old man the wrong way-ay
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Milk Cow Blues Lyrics as written by Kokomo Arnold
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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