From the Rigs to the Heart: The Soulful Journey of Robert Earl Keen’s “Corpus Christi Bay”

Anchored in the heart of Texas, the tales of Robert Earl Keen reverberate through the wide-open spaces, and none so enchanting as his ballad “Corpus Christi Bay.”

The Lone Star’s Poet: Robert Earl Keen

Born in Houston, Texas, on January 11, 1956, Robert’s spirit was intertwined with the land of cowboys and country music. His songwriting prowess emerged during his days at Texas A&M University, where he befriended fellow musician Lyle Lovett.

Here’s a quick look at his discography:

Sailing Through “Corpus Christi Bay” (by Robert Earl Keen – Listen Here)

Robert Earl Keen’s “Corpus Christi Bay” paints a vivid picture of the rig worker’s life, and its enchanting pull. The lyrics speak of a longing for freedom, the entrapment in one’s choices, and the bonds that keep pulling one back.

I worked the rigs from three to midnight
On the Corpus Christi Bay
I’d get off and drink till daylight
Sleep the morning away
I had a plan to take my wages
Leave the rigs behind for good
But that life it is contagious
And it gets down in your blood

I lived in Corpus with my brother
We were always on the run
We were bad for one another
But we were good at having fun
We got stoned along the seawall
We got drunk and rolled a car
We knew the girls at every dance hall
Had a tab at every bar

If I could live my life all over
It wouldn’t matter anyway
‘Cause I never could stay sober
On the Corpus Christi Bay

My brother had a wife and family
You know, he gave them a good home
But his wife thought we were crazy
And one day we found her gone
We threw her clothes into the car trunk
Her photographs, her rosary
We went to the pier and got drunk
And threw it all into the sea

Now my brother lives in Houston
He married for the second time
He got a job with the union
And it’s keeping him in line
He came to Corpus just this weekend
It was good to see him here
He said he finally gave up drinking
Then he ordered me a beer

Now my brother lives in Houston
He married for the second time
He got a job with the union
And it’s keeping him in line
He came to Corpus just this weekend
It was good to see him here
He said he finally gave up drinking
Then he ordered me a beer

Now my brother lives in Houston
He married for the second time
He got a job with the union
And it’s keeping him in line
He came to Corpus just this weekend
It was good to see him here
He said he finally gave up drinking
Then he ordered me a beer

These lyrics encompass the rugged lifestyle and escapades in Corpus Christi. It is reflective of not only the character’s yearning for release but also his intrinsic attachment to the reckless joy he finds in this life.

This song resonates with Texans because it embodies the spirit of living on the edge and cherishing the bittersweet bond with one’s roots. For many, it brings back memories of youth, the wild nights and the close ties that shape our lives.