High Fever Blues
Bukka White's Soulful Struggle: Battling the Fever of Love
Lyrics
I'm taken down with the fever, and it won't let me sleep
I am suffering from a fever that prevents me from sleeping
I'm taken down with the fever, and it won't let me sleep
Reiteration of the physical and sleep-disturbing effects of the fever
It was about three o'clock, before he would let me be
The fever persisted until around three o'clock in the morning
I wish somebody, would come and drive my fever away
Expressing a desire for someone to help alleviate or cure the fever
I wish somebody, come and drive my fever away
Repetition of the desire for relief from the fever through someone's intervention
This fever I'm havin', sho' weaves in my way
The fever is described as an obstacle or challenge in life
The fever I'm havin', sho' is hard on a man
Emphasizing the difficulty and hardship caused by the fever
The fever I'm havin', sho' is hard on a man
Reiteration of the severity of the fever's impact on an individual
They don't allow my lover, come and shake my hand
Expressing a restriction on the interaction with the lover due to the fever
I wonder what's the matter with the fever, sho' is hard on a man
Pondering the cause and severity of the fever
I want to know what's the matter, how come this fever hard on a man
Expressing a desire to understand why the fever is particularly hard on a man
Doctor said "ain't the fever, that's your lover has another man"
A doctor suggests that the lover's unfaithfulness might be the cause of the fever
Doctor get your fever gauge, and put it under my tongue
Suggesting a medical examination with a fever gauge to understand the illness
Doctor get your fever gauge, and put it under my tongue
Reiteration of the call for a medical examination to determine the cause of the fever
Doctor says "all you need, your lover in your arms"
The doctor implies that being with the lover is the remedy for the fever
I wants my lover, come and drive my fever away
Expressing a strong desire for the lover to come and alleviate the fever
I wants my lover, come and drive my fever away
Reiteration of the strong desire for the lover to help in overcoming the fever
Doctor says she'll do me more good in a day, than he would in all of his days
The doctor suggests that the lover's presence would be more effective than medical intervention
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