Lyrics of and My Thoughts on "Gimme Three Steps"

(comments in italics)

A great example of the partying, rough-housing nature of Lynyrd Skynyrd.  This is a true story that happened to Ronnie but was written by Gary Rossington and Allen Collins who were witnesses to the event.  The song opens with an upbeat three guitar intro.  In comes Ronnie telling his story:

I was cuttin' a rug
Down at a place called the Jug   Short for Little Brown Jug, a well-known bar.
With a girl named Linda Lu.
When in walks a man
With a gun in his hand
And he was lookin for you-know-who.
He said "Hey there fella
With your hair colored yella,
What you tryin to prove?
Cuz that's my girl there
And I'm a man who cares
And this might be all for you."

A guitar interlude, then the second verse:

I was scared and fearin' for my life,
I was shaking like a leaf on a tree.
Cuz he was lean and mean and big and bad lord,
And pointin' that gun at me.
Oh, wait a minute mister,
I didn't even kiss her.
Don't want no trouble from you.
And I know you don't owe me,
But I wish you would let me
Ask one favor of you.

Chorus:
Oh won't you gimme three steps,
Gimme three steps mister,
Gimme three steps toward your door.
Gimme three steps, gimme three steps mister,
And you'll never see me no more.

Another guitar interlude, then the third verse:

Well the crowd went away,
And I began to pray,
And the water fell on the floor.
And I'm a-tellin you son,
Well it ain't no fun
Starin' straight down a .44.
Well he turned and screamed at Linda Lu,
And that's the break I was looking for.
And you could hear me screamin' a mile away
As I was headed out toward the door.

Chorus, then the guitars come in and the song fades.