Kind Mama
Yearning Heart: Blind Willie McTell's Tale of Longing and Loneliness
Lyrics
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Describes a woman seeking a new romantic partner
She ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Expresses her loneliness and lack of someone to comfort her
Way down yonder on Cripple Creek
Reference to a location called Cripple Creek
Hemp don't grow but sixteen feet
Describes the limited height of hemp growth
Would go to bed but it ain't no use
Expresses futility in going to bed due to overcrowding
They pile up on the bed like chickens on a roost
Imagery of a bed crowded like chickens on a roost
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Reiteration of the woman seeking a new man
And she ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Reiterates her lack of a companion
The rooster chew tobacco and the hen dip snuff
Describes peculiar habits of a rooster and hen
Said he can't shimmy but he struts his stuff
Highlights the rooster's confidence despite limitations
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Repeats the woman's search for a new partner
And she ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Reiterates her solitude
See that fella with that derby on
Points out a man with a derby hat
Look good to me just as sure as you're born
Expresses the speaker's positive impression of the man
I'll tell you the truth and it's a natural fact
States a truth about racial discrimination
Coulda been a rule about being that black
Suggests a potential rule regarding being black
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Reaffirms the woman's search for a new man
Play it Boy
Instrumental break or directive for someone to play
See that fellow that's standing right there
Points out another man in the vicinity
He don't live here but he's somewhere
Indicates the man doesn't live there but is present
Little patch of hair right around his mouth
Describes a peculiar patch of hair around the man's mouth
Like he swallowed a mule and left his tail hanging out
Uses humor to describe the man's appearance
Real kind mama looking for another man
Reaffirms the woman's quest for a new partner
She ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Repeats her lack of a companion
Wake up in the morning at a half past three
Describes waking up early with gratitude towards a woman
Thanks pretty mama done put out what I need
Indicates the woman providing what the speaker needs
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Reiterates the woman's search for a new man
Soon in the morning at half past four
Describes a morning encounter with a confident man
Hot shot rider rappin' at her door
Describes the man as a "hot shot rider" seeking attention
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Reiterates the woman's search for a new partner
She ain't got nobody in town to hold her hand
Emphasizes her lack of a local companion
Went to the door and the door was locked
Encounters a locked door, suspecting infidelity
Think that baby tryin' to eagle rock
Suggests the possibility of romantic dancing ("eagle rock")
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
Reiterates the woman's search for a new man
Real kind mama looking for another man
Reaffirms her quest for a new partner
And she ain't got nobody here to hold her hand
Reiterates her lack of a companion
Kind mama looking for another man
Final repetition of the woman's search for a new man
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