Well I lost an eye in Mexico
I lost two teeth, where I don't know
People see me coming and they move to the other side of the road
I robbed a liquor store or two
I made myself at home a few times
Borrow myself a car when I need it
I got me a shack at the bottom of the road
Fixing cars and giving tows
I spend all my money
On the lottery

When I win the lottery
Gonna buy all the girls on my block
Color TV and a bottle of French perfume
When I win the lottery
Gonna donate half my money to the city
So they have to name a street or a school or a park after me
When I win the lottery

Never ran a flag
Up a pole
Like Mr. Red White and Blue down the road
But I never call myself a hero for killing a known communist
Now I could walk into any old bar
And find a fight without looking too hard
But I never killed someone I don't know
Just cause someone told me to.

And when I win the lottery
Gonna buy the house next to Mr.
Red, White and Blue
And when I win the lottery
Gonna buy post 306
American legion, paint it red with five gold stars
When I win the lottery

When the end comes to this old world
The righteous will cry and the rest will curl up
God won't take the time
To sort your ashes from mine
Cause we zig and zag between good and bad
Stumble and fall on right and wrong
Cause the tumbling dice with the luck of the draw
Just leads us on

And when I win the lottery
Gonna buy all the girls on my block
Silver plated
Six shooters with a quart of the finest highland scotch
Cause when I win the lottery
The righteous will shake their heads and say
That God is good, but surely works in mysterious ways
When I win the lottery.


Lyrics submitted by Elfer

When I Win the Lottery Lyrics as written by David Lowery Chris Pederson

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

When I Win the Lottery song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    "paint it red with five gold stars" is a reference to the flag of the People's Republic of China.

    Nomad66on September 27, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    The song isn't mocking the narrator, it's taking a shot at the "righteous" who think that God is always on their side, when in reality plenty of things can happen to prove their worldview is bulls***, like the lowest of the low (the narrator) winning the lottery.

    jhamburgron March 02, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    But I never killed someone I don't know Just cause someone told me to.

    While the narrator may not be all that respectable, given his opening self description, his point is the Mr. Red White & Blue people of the world are no heroes for having killed strangers under orders. Also that god is not on their side.

    And in the closing stanza he wants to empower women by giving them guns and booze, because he understands the kind of oppression they face in our 'free' society.

    boombudon February 19, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Unfounded optimism and the American Dream (Mr. Red, White & Blue).

    airwolf queenon March 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Mexico" is a reference to the country south of the United States of America.

    sactonortherncalon March 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction

    Pretty sure it's "unknown communists" not "a known communist."

    kreniighon April 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    From the songwriter at davidlowerymusic.com/blogs/300-songs-blog/posts/46-the-van-part-1-when-i-win-the-lottery-i-m-gonna-buy-a-new-van: "I rear ended someone on the CA17/I280 interchange in Santa Clara. In the long run this was fortuitous. The tow truck driver launched into a monologue that became the basis for the song When I Win The Lottery. Over the course of the 30 minute ride... the tow truck driver confessed to a series of small felonies and a profound contempt for virtually every aspect of our society. Most striking was his contempt for religion and patriotism. He was out of his mind but totally fascinating."

    calbearon January 31, 2023   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    American Dream indeed. The person talking is about out podunk as you can get. I'm not sure the band isn't sort of mocking that sort of guy a little.

    zotquixon March 28, 2008   Link

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