Jamestown Ferry | Tanya Tucker Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

Jamestown Ferry
Tanya Tucker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴He just caught the Jamestown Ferry
It's not a hot day in Janurary
Like he said it'd be if he ever left me

A case of gone is all he carried
As he got on the Jamestown Ferry
He said that gone is all he'd ever be

Didn't think that he'd leave me
After he saying how much he needs me
But the fact still remains I sitting her all alone

Missing the love of my baby
Lord it's about to drive me crazy
He was the sweetest piece of heaven I've ever known

He just caught the Jamestown Ferry
It's not a hot day in Janurary
Like he said it'd be if he ever left me

A case of gone is all he carried
As he got on the Jamestown Ferry
He said that gone is all he'd ever be

As I walk through his kingdom of Honky Tonks and Bars
I remember how he hold me and comfort me with talk
He didn't curse with every breath
He had a soothing southern drawl
He made me feel like a lady through it all.

He just caught the Jamestown Ferry
It's not a hot day in Janurary
Like he said it'd be if he ever left me

A case of gone is all he carried
As he got on the Jamestown Ferry
He said that gone is all he'd ever be

He just caught the Jamestown Ferry

It's not a hot day in Janurary
Like he said it'd be if he ever left me


Overall Meaning

The "Jamestown Ferry" is a song by the American country music singer Tanya Tucker. The song portrays the aftermath of a breakup between the singer and her lover. The singer finds herself sitting alone, missing her lover who just caught the Jamestown Ferry. She recalls the way he loved her and held her, and how he had a soothing southern drawl that made her feel like a lady. The lyrics suggest that the break-up was unexpected, and that the singer is struggling to get over the loss of her lover.


The opening lines of the song set the scene, as the singer tells us that her lover has just left on the Jamestown Ferry. She notes that it's not a hot day in January, which suggests that he was lying to her when he said he would leave if it ever got that warm. This could be a metaphor for how he lied to her in general, or it could simply be an indication that she is trying to rationalize his departure. The chorus repeats this idea, highlighting the fact that all he carried with him was the knowledge that he was gone for good: "A case of gone is all he carried/As he got on the Jamestown Ferry/He said that gone is all he'd ever be."


One interesting aspect of this song is that it was written by Billy Edd Wheeler, who also wrote "Jackson," a hit duet by Johnny Cash and June Carter. Another interesting fact is that the Jamestown Ferry is a real ferry that operates in James City County, Virginia. The ferry crosses the James River and is a popular tourist attraction in the area. Another interesting aspect of the song is that it was covered by Joan Baez in 1978, and her version features a more upbeat, almost poppy sound.


Chords (source: cowboylyrics.com):
Am C G F
Am C G E
Am C G F
Am C G E


Line by Line Meaning

He just caught the Jamestown Ferry
He just left on the Jamestown Ferry


It's not a hot day in Janurary
Contrary to what he said, it's not a hot day in January


Like he said it'd be if he ever left me
He previously claimed that it would be hot on the day he left


A case of gone is all he carried
He left with nothing but his absence


As he got on the Jamestown Ferry
He left as he boarded the Jamestown Ferry


He said that gone is all he'd ever be
He stated that he would always be absent


Didn't think that he'd leave me
She didn't expect him to leave


After he saying how much he needs me
He claimed to need her, but still left


But the fact still remains I sitting here all alone
She is left alone despite everything


Missing the love of my baby
She is missing the love of her partner


Lord it's about to drive me crazy
The situation is overwhelming her


He was the sweetest piece of heaven I've ever known
He was a kind and loving partner


As I walk through his kingdom of Honky Tonks and Bars
She reminisces about his favorite places


I remember how he hold me and comfort me with talk
She recalls how he held and comforted her


He didn't curse with every breath
He didn't use foul language excessively


He had a soothing southern drawl
He had a pleasant accent


He made me feel like a lady through it all.
He treated her well and made her feel respected


Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bobby Borchers, Mack Vickery

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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