"What Am I Bid" is a heart-wrenching country song recorded by Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours. The lyrics depict the emotions of a person who has lost their loved one and now feels empty and alone. The singer begins by asking what someone would be willing to offer for their eyes, which once gazed upon their beloved like a reigning queen. However, now these eyes are filled with sadness instead of happiness. The bidding process symbolizes the diminishing value of the singer's connection to the person they lost. The next verse focuses on the singer's lips, which have experienced the sweetest kisses from their loved one. However, it has been a long time since these lips wore a smile. The auction continues, emphasizing how time has taken away the joy and affection from their life. The chorus highlights the arms that once held the beloved, experiencing the thrill of their charms. The singer pleads for someone to make an offer before the value of these arms diminishes further. It is evident that the singer is deeply longing for their lost love and desperately wants to regain the happiness and connection they once had. The final verse is a plea from the singer to the listener. They ask what they would give for what they see before them, an empty shell of a person standing alone. This signifies the singer's current state of emotional emptiness and yearning for someone to recognize their pain. In essence, "What Am I Bid" conveys the sense of loss, longing, and desperation experienced by someone who has been deeply affected by a lost love. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing and appreciating the connections we have in our lives before they are lost.
