☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the story of a man who consumes cocaine and shoots his wife.
- The protagonist flees to Mexico, but is captured and ends up in prison.
- He confesses the murder in court and is sentenced to a 99-year prison term.
- The lyrics warn about the dangers of drug consumption and urge to stay away from such substances.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Cocaine Blues" by
Merle Haggard tell the story of a man who gets into trouble after consuming cocaine and shooting his wife. The text shows the consequences of his actions and the remorse he feels.
The song begins with the protagonist walking around early in the morning and consuming cocaine before shooting his wife. He then goes home and lies down with a loaded gun under his pillow. The next morning, he consumes cocaine again and flees. However, he is captured in Juarez, Mexico.
Later, the protagonist ends up in prison and confronts a sheriff who accuses him of being the murderer of his wife. He confirms that he is Willy Lee and confesses the murder. He explains that he shot his wife because she hurt him by telling him that he is not the father of her child.
The protagonist is tried and sentenced by a jury. The judge imposes a sentence of 99 years in San Quentin prison. The text ends with an appeal to the listeners to refrain from whiskey and cocaine.