Hammer Blues
Harmony in Hardship: Charley Patton's Hammer Blues Tale
Lyrics
Gonna buy me a hammock, carry it underneath through the tree
Gonna purchase a hammock and carry it beneath a tree.
Gonna buy myself a hammock, carry it underneath through the tree
Reiteration of the intention to buy a hammock and find shade under a tree.
So when the wind blow, the leaves may fall on me
Desiring the hammock to shield from falling leaves when the wind blows.
Go on, baby, you can have your way
Encouraging someone (baby) to have their way.
Ball on, baby, you can have your way
Reiteration of allowing the mentioned person to have their way.
Sister, every dog sure must have his day
Expressing the idea that everyone will eventually experience success or good fortune.
Got me shackled, I'm wearin' a ball and...
Feeling confined or restricted, possibly in a challenging situation with a ball and chain.
They've got me shackled, I'm wearin' my ball and chain
Reaffirming being shackled and wearing a ball and chain.
An' they got me ready for that Parchman train
Anticipating being prepared for the Parchman train, suggesting legal troubles or imprisonment.
I went to the depot, I looked up at the board
Visiting a train depot and checking the schedule on the board.
I went to the depot, I looked up at the board
Reiterating the visit to the train depot and checking the schedule.
If this train has left, well, it's tearin' off up the road
Expressing concern about missing a train that has already left.
Clothes I buy, baby, honey you gonna 'pre, ...
Assuring that the listener will appreciate all the clothes that are bought.
You're gonna appreciate, honey, all clothes I'll buy
Reiterating the assurance that purchased clothes will be appreciated.
I will give you all my lovin', baby, till the day I die
Promise to provide love until the end of life.
I went way up Red River, crawlin' on the...
Recalling a journey up Red River, possibly facing challenges.
I went up Red River, crawlin', on a log
Reiterating the journey up Red River, crawling on a log.
I think I heard the Bob Lee boat when she moaned
Suggesting the perception of a boat's sound (Bob Lee boat) during the journey.
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