I'll Go Down Swinging
Bill Anderson · The First 10 Years: 1956-1966 [2011]
(Bill Anderson)
The one I love don't want me hanging round
All she does is put me on and put me down
Tonight she's with a stranger at a party in her home
And I'm here at a tavern gettin' stoned.
'Cause if I gotta go, I'll go down swinging
Where there's lights and laughter
Booze and blonds and a lots of sad, sad singing
I'll sober up tomorrow and cry all day I know
At least I'll go down swinging, what a swinging way to go.
--- Instrumental ---
I'll dance with all the girls and buy the wine
Play the jukebox till I'm down to my last dime
She thinks she made a fool of me by loving someone else
She should see me make a fool out of myself.
'Cause if I gotta go, I'll go down swinging
Where there's lights and laughter
Booze and blonds and a lots of sad, sad singing
I'll sober up tomorrow and cry all day I know
At least I'll go down swinging, what a swinging way to go...
The one I love don't want me hanging round
All she does is put me on and put me down
Tonight she's with a stranger at a party in her home
And I'm here at a tavern gettin' stoned.
'Cause if I gotta go, I'll go down swinging
Where there's lights and laughter
Booze and blonds and a lots of sad, sad singing
I'll sober up tomorrow and cry all day I know
At least I'll go down swinging, what a swinging way to go.
--- Instrumental ---
I'll dance with all the girls and buy the wine
Play the jukebox till I'm down to my last dime
She thinks she made a fool of me by loving someone else
She should see me make a fool out of myself.
'Cause if I gotta go, I'll go down swinging
Where there's lights and laughter
Booze and blonds and a lots of sad, sad singing
I'll sober up tomorrow and cry all day I know
At least I'll go down swinging, what a swinging way to go...
I'll Go Down Swinging
Bill Anderson's 'I'll Go Down Swinging' stands as a quintessential example of his early country storytelling, capturing the weary resilience of a traveling musician. Recorded during the formative years of his career, the track reflects the honky-tonk and bluegrass influences that defined his sound in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Released on the compilation 'The First 10 Years: 1956-1966,' the song showcases Anderson's signature ability to weave narrative into melody, depicting the hardships of the road while maintaining an upbeat, danceable rhythm. It remains a staple of his discography, illustrating the enduring appeal of his work in the American roots music tradition.