Too Much Alcohol
Intoxicating Blues: J.B. Hutto's Boozy Journey
Lyrics
I went down 31st Street, now
I visited 31st Street
Just to buy me a drink of alcohol, honey
Intention to purchase alcohol
I went down 31st Street, now
Repeated visit to 31st Street for alcohol
Just to buy me a drink of alcohol, now
Reiterating the desire to buy alcohol
I told the old man to cut it half full a-water
Requesting the old man to dilute the drink with water
But that old man, y'know, didn't-a put any drop at all in
The old man didn't add any water to the drink
So, I'm drinkin' mine straight alley can
Drinking alcohol directly from the can due to dissatisfaction
See, an I went jus' staggerin' on down the street, now
Describing stumbling down the street while drinking
I drinkin' my straight alley can, now
Continuing to consume alcohol directly from the can
So I went jus' staggerin' down the street, now
Repeating the act of stumbling down the street
Now but my head got so heavy
Experiencing heaviness in the head
My eyes couldn't even give a-peepin', now
Eyes unable to open properly due to intoxication
My baby tells me, 'Papa, Papa'
Addressing the speaker as "Papa"
She says, 'Sonny Boy, you know you ain't no good at all now'
Criticizing the speaker's character and behavior
My baby tell me, 'Papa, Papa' now
Repeating the criticism from the baby
She says 'Sonny Boy, you know you ain't no good at all'
Reiterating the judgment on the speaker's character
She says, 'The reason you don't make me happy
Stating the reason for unhappiness – excessive alcohol consumption
Because you drink too much of this old alcohol now'
Attributing unhappiness to the speaker's alcohol consumption
I said, 'But baby won't you go ridin' now
Expressing a desire for a ride in the car
Oh, can I take you ridin' in my car now?'
Asking if the baby wants to ride in the car
I said, 'But baby won't you go ridin' now
Repeating the invitation for a car ride
Can I take you ridin' wit me in my car now?'
Reiterating the invitation to ride in the car
She said, 'But I'm scared you gonna drink alcohol
Baby expressing concern about the speaker's alcohol consumption
Says, Sonny Boy, then we wouldn't ride very far
Anticipating limited travel due to the speaker's drinking
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