The Ballad of El Goodo

Album: #1 Record (1972)
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  • Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
    But I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
    It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
    The guns they wait to be stuck by
    At my side is God

    And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round

    There's people around who tell you that they know
    The places where they send you, and it's easy to go
    They'll zip you up and dress you down
    And stand you in a row
    But you know you don't have to
    You could just say no

    And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round

    I've been built up and trusted
    Broke down and busted
    But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours
    Just if we can
    Just, ah, hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on

    Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
    And I've been trying hard against strong odds
    It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
    Well, I'll fall if I don't fight
    And at my side is God

    And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on Writer/s: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Al from Baltimore, MdIt's hard to find a more heartfelt song than "The Ballad of El Goodo". Alex Chilton pours his heart and soul into this one because, I believe, it's a theme that really matters to him. Yes, the theme is Vietnam and more specifically finding ways to stay out of it. I get the feeling that he is writing about a friend who was a draft resistor, who maybe had to go to Canada, maybe got arrested, maybe got beat up by police. But he knows he's doing the right thing. I also get the feeling that the friend has just returned and is sitting down with Alex over a beer and filling him in. Any way, that's my explanatin Nad I think it holds water. Love the song, and by the way, if you are in a band, it is really fun to play.
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