The song "12 O'Clock Whistle" by James McMurtry depicts a small town in the past where everyone knew each other and had daily routines. The air raid siren blowing at noon signaled lunchtime, and the city truck would spray DDT to keep mosquitoes away. Although the neighbor lady was knowledgeable about the dangers of encephalitis, she still used DDT. Granny hung out the laundry and chatted with the neighbor lady over the fence while the boys chased the city truck. Meanwhile, the narrator cruised down Scott Street with a cherry coke, passing through the segregated area of town. The family discussed their plans for the day, including going to the beauty shop and helping with the calves. The father was running late, and the family had to put the horses away before dinner. The song expresses nostalgia for a simpler time in small-town America. The constant sound of the noon whistle provided a sense of structure and routine, and life moved at a slower pace. The family members were connected and relied on each other for support. The lyrics suggest that the way of life depicted in the song is disappearing, and the narrator pleads with someone to stay with him on a nearby mountain until the sun sets, a metaphor for holding onto the past.
