Billy Joe Shaver was a true outlaw country legend, a songwriter’s songwriter, and a man who lived life on his own terms. His words were raw, honest, and full of hard-earned wisdom. Whether he was talking about love, faith, or the struggles of life, his quotes hit deep. Here’s a collection of his best sayings—straight from the heart of a Texas troubadour.
Life Lessons from Billy Joe Shaver
Billy Joe didn’t sugarcoat things. He spoke plainly, but his words carried weight.
🔹 “I’m just an old chunk of coal, but I’m gonna be a diamond someday.”
🔹 “You gotta get down before you get up.”
🔹 “If you don’t love Jesus, go to hell.” (No middle ground here.)
🔹 “The devil made me do it the first time. The second time, I done it on my own.”
🔹 “I’ve been to hell and back, and I’ve got the T-shirt.”
Ever felt like life keeps knocking you down? Billy Joe knew that feeling well.
On Love & Heartbreak
Love wasn’t always easy for him, but he sure knew how to write about it.
🎵 “Love is so sweet, but it can sure turn sour.”
🎵 “You can’t beat women at nothin’, but you can love ’em.”
🎵 “She’s gone, gone, gone like a turkey through the corn.”
🎵 “I’ve loved a few women, but I’ve loved whiskey more.”
Heartbreak fuels great songs. Billy Joe proved that over and over.
Faith & Spirituality
He wasn’t afraid to talk about God—or the devil.
📖 “I’m just tryin’ to be a Christian, but I ain’t got it down yet.”
📖 “The devil gets in us all, but God’s got a longer reach.”
📖 “I’d rather have Jesus than all the gold in the world.”
Faith wasn’t just a Sunday thing for him. It was real, messy, and honest.
Music & Songwriting
Billy Joe wrote songs that cut deep. Here’s how he saw his craft.
🎵 “A good song writes itself. You just gotta be there to catch it.”
🎵 “If you ain’t got nothin’ to say, don’t say it in a song.”
🎵 “Truth is the best rhyme.”
🎵 “I don’t write ’em, I just find ’em.”
Ever wonder why his lyrics feel so real? Because they were.
Hard Truths & Outlaw Wisdom
He didn’t believe in excuses. Life was tough, and he owned it.
🔥 “I ain’t never been nothin’ but a survivor.”
🔥 “You can’t outrun your past, but you can outlive it.”
🔥 “I’ve been shot, stabbed, and left for dead. But I’m still here.”
🔥 “If you’re gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.”
Billy Joe didn’t just talk the talk—he walked it.
Funny & Unfiltered
He had a sharp wit and wasn’t afraid to use it.
💡 “I’m too old to die young now.”
💡 “I’ve been married so many times, I’ve got rice marks on my face.”
💡 “I don’t lie—I just remember big.”
Even in tough times, he kept his sense of humor.
Final Thoughts
Billy Joe Shaver’s words were as real as they come. Whether he was singing about sin or salvation, he never held back. His quotes remind us to live boldly, love deeply, and keep pushing forward—no matter what.
Which one hits you the hardest? Drop it in the comments. ⭐