Jerry Jeff Walker

Songwriter: Michael Martin Murphey

[Verse 1]
As the rain ruins my alibi
I'm down to telling you my red-eyed mind
It's not the sun-bright path that calls me from my home
It's just that fine backslider's wine

[Chorus]
My momma sings out in my memory:
"Oh Son, don't wear no black eye shine
"Fight for your rights but don't just fight for right
"Do not drink backslider's wine"

[Verse 2]
But I took myself for a strong and loving soul
'Til I found my skill face-down on the bar room floor
Crying "My God, what have they with me?"
I dare not drink backslider's wine no more

[Chorus]
My momma sings out in my memory:
"Oh Son, don't take no black eyed shine
"Fight for your rights but don't just fight for right (Fight for rights)
"Do not drink backslider's wine"
No, do not drink backslider's wine

Jerry Jeff Walker (born Ronald Clyde Crosby) (16 March 1942) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is most famous for writing the song “Mr. Bojangles”. Walker’s prolific music career and his musical influence have made him an iconic fixture of the Texas country music scene. Known to his fans as “America’s Greatest Poet”, Walker has released over 20 albums.

Semi-retired today, Walker occasionally appears on stage with Willie Nelson, Brooks & Dunn and others. He’s been a perennial write-in candidate for Texas governor.

Walker summed-up the cowboy life this way:

From the album

Viva Terlingua! (1973)

Jerry Jeff Walker popular songs

Backslider’s Wine

Backslider’s WineJerry Jeff Walker

Jerry Jeff Walker