Salute to a Switchblade
Tom T. Hall
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Me and Yates an army buddy o'mine were doin' three years in Germany at the time We came upon these Frauleins in the bar Yates said darf isch zee be-gleit-en they said ya (And darf isch zee be-gleit-en means can we sit with you all) Oh we must have drunk ten quarts of German beer My conscience and my sinuses were clear I asked that Fraulein if she was a spy she said nein but do bis ain bissel high (A condition not uncommon to the American soldier) Well later on I went to be excused when I returned I was a bit confused Yates and his Fraulein had hit the air another guy was sittin' in my chair (A young soldier whom we shall get to know better) I said excuse me Mister that's my seat I'd like to have it back sir if you please That girl's a nurse and I've been awful sick the man looked up at me and said mox-nix (Which means that he was not overly concerned with my health) Next thing I knew he had a switchblade knife Lord I didn't know that Fraulein was his wife I took off through that Gasthaus like a fool behind me I heard the crashing stools (As the police would say he was in hot pursuit) Well the waitress yelled there's MPs on the way That's one more reason I didn't want to stay As I went out the window somethin' went switch And I giggled all the way home knowin' he missed (At the time it seemed like a laughing matter) But next morning my coat was lyin' there on the bunk And when I saw that coat it made me jump That man had cut my coat right down the back A little bit more and they'd been playin' me taps (And knowin' the sad nature of that song I would decline it) Well later on I heard that guy got stabbed They sent him home and didn't that make me glad On love and marriage I want to say one thing oh lady if you're married wear that ring (And the army has a new policy if you can't move it paint it If it has a switchblade knife salute it Not necessarily an incident one would want to write Mother about Germany being full of good soldiers good people)
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Written by: TOM T. HALL
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song ReleaseSalute to a Switchblade was released in 1973 by American country singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall.
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Album DetailsBelonging to the album named "For The People in the Last Hard Town," the song was released under Mercury Records label.
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Lyrics OriginThe lyrics of the song were inspired by Tom T. Hall's time serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, demonstrating his storytelling prowess.
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Chart PerformanceAlthough the song did not top the charts, it did receive substantial airplay on country radio.
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Recurring ThemesSalute to a Switchblade, like much of Hall's music, reflects themes of everyday life, storytelling, and vivid representation of human experiences.
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AppreciationFans and critics alike praised Hall’s descriptive lyricism and distinctive country music style in "Salute to a Switchblade."
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Genre ClassificationThe song falls under the Country genre, showcasing Hall's versatile songwriting talents.
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Unique InstrumentationThe song makes significant use of instruments such as the banjo and harmonica, which contribute to its authentic country sound.
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Song LengthWith a duration of 2:50 minutes, the song is relatively short but impactful.
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Legacy of Tom T. Hall"Salute to a Switchblade" stands as testimonial of Hall's songwriting skills in creating memorable and relatable narratives through country music. He is often referred to as "The Storyteller" due to his unique approach to songwriting seen in songs like this one.
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Citation
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"Salute to a Switchblade Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2698540/Tom+T.+Hall/Salute+to+a+Switchblade>.
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