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.
Got in a little trouble at the county seat
Lawd, they put me in the jail house for loafing on the street
When the judge heard the verdict I was a guilty man
He said forty-five dollars or thirty days in the can
Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son
You can take your choice you're twenty-one
No money down, no credit plan
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man
Forty days in the jail house, four days on the road
I was feeling mighty hungry, my feet a heavy load
Saw a greyhound coming, stuck up my thumb
Before I got to my seat, the driving caught my arm
Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son
This old gray dog gets paid to run
When the engine starts, and the wheels won't roll
Give me cash on the barrelhead, I'll take you down the road
Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son
You can take your choice, if you're twenty-one
No money down, no credit plan
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man
Yodel-aheo, yo-layhea, yodel-ahe
In South Carolina, there are many tall pines
I remember the oak tree that we used to climb
But now when I'm lonesome, I always pretend
That I'm gettin' the feel of hickory wind
I started out younger at most everything
All the riches and pleasures, what else could life bring?
But it makes me feel better each time it begins
Callin' me home, hickory wind
It's a hard way to find out that trouble is real
In a far away city, with a far away feel
But it makes me feel better each time it begins
Callin' me home, hickory wind
Keeps callin' me home, hickory wind
Lawd, they put me in the jail house for loafing on the street
When the judge heard the verdict I was a guilty man
He said forty-five dollars or thirty days in the can
Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son
You can take your choice you're twenty-one
No money down, no credit plan
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man
Forty days in the jail house, four days on the road
I was feeling mighty hungry, my feet a heavy load
Saw a greyhound coming, stuck up my thumb
Before I got to my seat, the driving caught my arm
Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son
This old gray dog gets paid to run
When the engine starts, and the wheels won't roll
Give me cash on the barrelhead, I'll take you down the road
Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son
You can take your choice, if you're twenty-one
No money down, no credit plan
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man
Yodel-aheo, yo-layhea, yodel-ahe
In South Carolina, there are many tall pines
I remember the oak tree that we used to climb
But now when I'm lonesome, I always pretend
That I'm gettin' the feel of hickory wind
I started out younger at most everything
All the riches and pleasures, what else could life bring?
But it makes me feel better each time it begins
Callin' me home, hickory wind
It's a hard way to find out that trouble is real
In a far away city, with a far away feel
But it makes me feel better each time it begins
Callin' me home, hickory wind
Keeps callin' me home, hickory wind
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Cash on the Barrelhead/Hickory Wind [Live] Lyrics as written by Ira Louvin Charles Louvin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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