Lyrics
Oh, I seen him walkin'
Observation of the hoodoo operator walking.
On down that road
Description of the path he's taking.
He got a broken push cart
Reference to the operator's broken push cart.
With a heavy load
The operator carries a burdensome load.
Oh, Lord have mercy
A plea for mercy regarding the narrator's soul.
Upon my wicked soul
Expressing the narrator's perceived wickedness.
Ah, he looked right at me
The operator makes eye contact with the narrator.
With his eyes of coal
Describing the operator's eyes as coal-like.
It's the hoodoo operator
Introduction of the hoodoo operator.
Hoodoo operator
Repetition emphasizing the operator's role.
Hoodoo operator
-Hoodoo operator
-Ah, he'll sell you liquids
The operator sells remedies for ailments.
To cure that whooping cough
Specifically, a cure for whooping cough.
And fine liniments
Reference to the cost of remedies for the poor.
At a poor man's cost
Emphasizing the financial struggle of the poor.
Ah, but when your time is up boy
Warning about the inevitable approach of death.
And you feel that chill
When death arrives, a chill will be felt.
He will come softly knocking
The operator will come to collect debts quietly.
To collect his bill
Collecting debts is likened to presenting a bill.
It's the hoodoo operator
Reiteration of the hoodoo operator's role.
Hoodoo operator
-Hoodoo operator
-Hoodoo operator
-Oh, I seen him walkin'
Repetition of the operator's walk down the road.
On down that road
Description of another broken individual.
He got a broken white man
Reference to a white man with a heavy load.
With a heavy load
Similarities to the operator's situation.
Oh, Lord have mercy
Another plea for mercy, emphasizing foolishness.
Upon my foolish soul
The narrator feels the cold and darkness within.
It is so cold and dark
Describing the emotional state behind the eyes of coal.
Behind these eyes of coal
Repetition of the cold and dark imagery.
It's the hoodoo operator
Reiteration of the hoodoo operator's role.
Hoodoo operator
-Hoodoo operator
-Hoodoo operator
-Operate
Repetition of the word "Operate."
Operate
-Operate
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