TEXAS HOLD 'EM – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Beyoncé's "TEXAS HOLD 'EM," a groundbreaking country anthem that invites you to explore its unique blend of traditional sounds and modern themes. This song is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in contemporary English lyrics that weave together tales of romance and resilience, all while experiencing a pivotal moment in music history as Beyoncé reclaims the Black roots of country.

[English]

This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’

So lay your cards down down down down

So park your Lexus

And throw your keys up

Stick around round round round round

And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me honey too

It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now

Woo!

There’s a tornado in my city

Hit the basement, that shit ain't pretty

Rugged Whiskey cause we surviving

Off red cup kisses sweet redemption passing time yeah

Oooh

One step to the right

We heading to the dive bar

We always thought was nice

Oooh

Run me to the left

Then spin me in the middle boy I can’t read your mind

This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’

So lay your cards down down down down

So park your Lexus

And throw your keys up

Stick around round round round round

And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me honey too

It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now

And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me honey too

It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now

Woo!

There’s a heat wave coming at us

Too hot to think straight, too cold to panic

All of the problems just feel dramatic

Now we’re running to the first bar that we find yeah

Oooh

One step to the right

We headin’ to the dive bar

We always thought was nice

Oooh

You run to the left

Just work me in the middle boy I can’t read your mind

This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’

So lay your cards down down down down

So park your Lexus

And throw your keys up

Stick around round round round round

And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me honey too

It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now

And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you

Come pour some liquor on me honey too

It’s a real life boogey and a real life hoedown

Don’t be a, come take it to the floor now

Take it to the floor now

Oops, spurs, boots

To the floor now, ooh

Tuck, back, oops

Shoot

Come take it to the floor now

And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you

Baby pour that sugar and liquor on me too

Oops, spurs, boots

Solargenic photogenic shoot

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to grasp, carry, or support with one's hands noun - the act or manner of holding something
cards /kɑːrdz/ A1	noun - playing cards
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music noun - a set of steps and movements
sugar /ˈʃʊɡər/ A1	noun - a sweet crystalline substance
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter
tornado /tɔːrˈneɪdoʊ/ B2	noun - a destructive whirling storm
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town or metropolis
whiskey /ˈwɪski/ B1	noun - a type of distilled alcoholic beverage
kisses /ˈkɪsɪz/ A2	noun - an act of touching with the lips
redemption /rɪˈdɛmpʃən/ C1	noun - the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil
dive /daɪv/ B2	verb - to plunge into water headfirst noun - a disreputable or seedy establishment, especially a bar
bar /bɑːr/ A2	noun - a place that sells alcoholic drinks
heat /hiːt/ A2	noun - the quality of being hot; high temperature
hot /hɒt/ A1	adjective - having a high degree of heat or a high temperature
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - having a low degree of heat or a low temperature
problems /ˈprɒbləmz/ A2	noun - a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome
boots /buːts/ A1	noun - a sturdy item of footwear covering the foot and ankle
liquor /ˈlɪkər/ B1	noun - an alcoholic drink, especially distilled spirits

Key Grammar Structures

• This ain’t Texas, ain’t no Hold Em’

  ➔ Non-standard dialect / colloquialism (Ain't)

  ➔ "Ain't" is a contraction of "am not", "is not", "are not", "has not", or "have not". It's common in some dialects and informal speech. Using it creates a more relaxed, conversational tone, suggesting informality and authenticity.

• So lay your cards down down down down

  ➔ Imperative verb ("lay") and Repetition

  ➔ The sentence starts with the imperative form of the verb "lay", which is a command. The repetition of "down" emphasizes the action and adds a rhythmic effect. It makes the command more forceful and memorable.

• And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you

  ➔ Idiomatic expression ("I'll be damned if...") and Modal verb ("can't")

  ➔ "I'll be damned if..." expresses strong determination or disbelief that something will happen. Using "can't" (cannot) strengthens the meaning, indicating a confident ability to slow dance.

• Come pour some sugar on me honey too

  ➔ Imperative verb ("Come pour") and use of "too"

  ➔ The phrase begins with an invitation or command: "Come pour." The word "too" indicates addition, suggesting that the speaker wants to be pampered in the same way as someone mentioned or implied before.

• Don’t be a bitch come take it to the floor now

  ➔ Imperative (negative) and Colloquialism

  ➔ This line uses a negative imperative ("Don't be a bitch") followed by a positive imperative ("come take it to the floor now"). "Bitch" is used colloquially, often (though not always) in a negative way. The overall effect is confrontational but also energetic and encouraging participation on the dance floor.

• Rugged Whiskey cause we surviving

  ➔ Informal conjunction ('cause) and present continuous tense

  ➔ "Cause" is an informal shortening of "because." "We surviving" uses the present continuous tense to indicate an action that is ongoing, often implying difficulty or effort.

• Too hot to think straight, too cold to panic

  ➔ "Too + adjective + to + infinitive" structure

  ➔ This structure expresses that something is excessive or prevents an action. In both clauses, the extreme temperature prevents clear thinking or action. It creates a sense of being overwhelmed by circumstances.