Willie Nelson – Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die

Wanted to have a little fun today. What better way to celebrate July 4th than with Willie Nelson and my next American Artist? The Willie Nelson set I watched on June 25th was probably the first real country act I’ve seen in concert, other than in street fairs in Nashville. Willie has done what few others have: appealed to a vast array of genres like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. The man is 92 and still going out there every night. 

The couple in front of us took this picture. 

If there were a Mount Rushmore for country outlaws, Willie Nelson wouldn’t just be on it, he’d be carving the damn thing with a joint in one hand and Trigger (his guitar) slung over his back. And with this song, Willie laughs at his legend and turns it into a porch-sing-along for the afterlife.

Released in 2012 on his Heroes album, this track arrived with a puff of smoke, wrapped in that unmistakable red-headed goodness. It’s a song about death that somehow feels like a party. Leave it to Willie to make his own funeral plans sound like a tailgate party. Beneath the title and chorus is something far more poignant: a man looking mortality in the eye and saying, You’re not killing my vibe.

The lineup of guests: Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson all pile in for the chorus like it’s some high-end dive bar jam session. The vibe is half gospel, half roadhouse. The songwriters are Willie Nelson, Buddy Cannon, Rich Alves, John Colgin, and Mike McQuerry.

Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die

Roll me up and smoke me when I dieAnd if anyone don’t like it, just look ’em in the eyeI didn’t come here and I ain’t leaving, so don’t sit around and cryJust roll me up and smoke me when I die

Now you won’t see no sad and teary eyesWhen I get my wings and it’s my time to flyCall my friends and tell ’em there’s a party, come on byAnd just roll me up and smoke me when I die

Roll me up and smoke me when I dieAnd if anyone don’t like it, just look them in the eyeI didn’t come here and I ain’t leaving, so don’t sit around and cryBut just roll me up and smoke me when I die

And I’d go, I’ve been here long enoughSo sing and tell more jokes and dance stuffJust keep the music playing, that will be a good goodbyeRoll me up and smoke me when I die

Roll me up and smoke me when I dieAnd if anyone don’t like it, just look ’em in the eyeI didn’t come here and I ain’t leaving, so don’t sit around and cryJust roll me up and smoke me when I die

Hey, take me out and build a roaring fireRoll me in the flames for about an hourAnd take me out and twist me up and point me towards the skyAnd roll me up and smoke me when I die

Roll me up and smoke me when I dieAnd if anyone don’t like it, just look ’em in the eyeI didn’t come here and I ain’t leaving, so don’t sit around and cryJust roll me up and smoke me when I die

Just roll me up and smoke me when I die

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

28 thoughts on “Willie Nelson – Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die”

  2. Pingback: Willie Nelson – Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die – MobsterTiger

  3. You said it…he and Dolly are the two living American musical legends. Everyone knows them, everyone likes them, seemingly including those who don’t like country music. Good that you got to see him.
    BTW happy July 4!

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    1. Happy 4th and a belated Canada Day! I say that on the next post as well lol…another big deal American musician lol….with the same genre covering talent.

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  6. The title brings to mind the anecdote about Keith Richards snorting his father’s ashes. I think Willie could get anyone in the world to sing with him. A great and true American. Happy 4th.

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    1. I loved that story from his book!
      Yea…Willie just seems like a laid back guy and friendly to everyone. Happy 4th to you!

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  7. Pretty sure Willie’s ashes would get you high, the man’s been smoking weed every day since the ’50s. He and my father were good friends and played many of the same joints in Fort Worth back in those days. Willie and his buddy, Paul English, always seemed to have a cloud surrounding them. Good that you got to see him live before he quits touring.

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    1. I’m so happy I got to see him Phil. His voice was a little lower but still Willie…and it was just as great to see Trigger!

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  9. Glad you got to see him and Bob. Though perhaps when watching Willie the view got a little hazy?

    What a line -lyrically, not literally- is ‘and take me out and twist me up and point me towards the sky.’ Pure brilliance.

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  10. Whatever stuff Willie has been smoking, evidently, it’s served him pretty well. I’m thrilled to see the man in September for the first time as part of the Outlaw Tour with Bob Dylan. Sheryl Crow, another great artist I haven’t seen, will be on the bill as well.

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    1. Yea Sheryl showed up at the very end to sing the last song with Willie….I never heard this song before until he did it live

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    1. That is so funny…I was JUST replying to your email about the concert! I won’t get it done tonight but I won’t take forever like last time.

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