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Introduction
Heartstrings and Steel Guitars: The Resonance of “If That Ain’t Country”
Have you ever heard a song that feels like it was written just for you, or perhaps for anyone who’s ever had to stand tall against the odds? That’s the heart of “If That Ain’t Country” by David Allan Coe. This song isn’t just a melody; it’s a story, a slice of life painted with a brush dipped in soul and twang. It’s about grit, resilience, and an unapologetic love for the roots that keep you grounded.
David Allan Coe, with his unmistakable blend of outlaw country and a touch of the rebel spirit, brings to life the tales of rural America in this song. The lyrics, so vividly narrative, talk about growing up tough, learning from a family with nothing but love and hard lessons to offer. It’s as if Coe is sitting next to you on a porch swing, guitar in hand, recounting tales under a sky that’s just turned dusk.
What makes “If That Ain’t Country” special isn’t just its storytelling prowess but the emotion it evokes. It’s a tribute to the authentic lives of people rarely spotlighted in glitzy music videos or glossy magazine covers. The song connects with anyone who’s ever felt the pride of their heritage, despite the hardships. It’s a musical nod to resilience, to the idea of staying true to your roots no matter where life takes you.
Moreover, the song has stood the test of time, resonating with fans of classic country and new listeners who find a connection to its unyielding spirit and heartfelt lyrics. Whether it’s the soul-stirring steel guitar or Coe’s raw, earnest voice, the song manages to feel both timeless and immediate, a reminder of where we’ve come from and the stories that shape us.
Engaging Tidbit:
Did you know? “If That Ain’t Country” was part of the 1977 album “Rides Again,” which showcased Coe’s ability to blend deep emotion with the outlaw country style he was famed for. This track, in particular, is often seen as a centerpiece of his musical legacy, encapsulating the essence of what many fans love about his work.
Video
Lyrics
The old man was covered with tattoos and scars
He got some in prison and others in bars
The rest he got working on old junk cars
In the daytime
They looked like tombstones in our yard
And I never seen him when he wasn’t tired and mean
He sold used parts to make ends meet
Covered with grease from his head to his feet
Cussing the sweat and the Texas heat
And mosquitos
And the neighbors said we lived like hicks
But they brung their cars for pa to fix anyhow
He was veteran-proud, tried and true
He’d fought ’till his heart was black and blue
Didn’t know how he’d made it through the hard times
He bought our house on the G.I. bill
But it wasn’t worth all he had to kill to get it
He drank Pearl in a can and Jack Daniels black
Chewed tobacco from a mail pouch sack
Had an old dog that was trained to attack
Sometimes
He’d get drunk and mean as a rattlesnake
There wasn’t too much
That he would take from a stranger
There were thirteen kids and a bunch of dogs
A house full of chickens and a yard full of hogs
I spent the summertime cutting up logs for the winter
Tryin’ like the devil to find the lord
Workin’ like a nigger for my room and board
Coal-burnin’ stove, no natural gas
If that ain’t country, I’ll kiss your ass
If that ain’t country
It’ll hair lip the pope
If that ain’t country
It’s a damn good joke
I’ve seen the Grand Ole Opry
And I’ve met Johnny Cash
If that ain’t country
I’ll kiss your ass
Mama sells eggs at a grocery store
My oldest sister is a first-rate whore
Dad says she can’t come home anymore
He means it
Ma just sits and keeps her silence
Sister, she left ’cause dad got violent
And he knows it
Mama she’s old, far beyond her time
From chopping tobacco and I’ve seen her cryin’
When blood started flowin’ from her calloused hand
And it hurt me
She’d just keep working, tryin’ to help the old man
To the end of one row and back again like always
She’s been through hell since Junior went to jail
When the lights go out she ain’t never failed
To get down on her knees and pray
Because she loves him
Told all the neighbors he was off in the war
Fighting for freedom
He’s good to the core and she’s proud
Now our place was a graveyard for automobiles
At the end of the porch there was four stacks of wheels
And tires for sale for a dollar or two
Cash
There was fifty holes in an old tin roof
Me and my family we was living proof
The people who forgot about poor white trash
And if that ain’t country, I’ll kiss your ass
If that ain’t country
It’ll hair lip the pope
If that ain’t country
It’s a damn good joke
I’ve seen the Grand Ole Opry
And I’ve met Johnny Cash
If that ain’t country
I’ll kiss your ass
I’m thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Concerning the great speckled bird
I didn’t know god made honky-tonk angels
And went back to the wild side of life