A Hundred and Ten in the Shade
Heat, Heartache, and Hope: Unveiling the Soulful Story in 'A Hundred and Ten in the Shade'
Lyrics
Way out there in the cotton
Describes a remote location in a cotton field.
Sun beatin' down so hard
Intense sunlight making the environment extremely hot.
Sweat rollin' of this shovel
Working hard, with sweat rolling off from the physical labor.
Diggin' in the devil's boneyard
Engaged in challenging or morally difficult work.
Sure like a cool drink of water
Expressing a desire for something refreshing.
Soft rag to soothe my face
Desiring comfort and relief from the challenging conditions.
Sure like a woman to talk to in this place
Seeking companionship, possibly to alleviate the hardships.
It's a hundred and ten
Emphasizes the extreme temperature, highlighting the difficulty.
Hundred and ten in the shade
Repetition of the intense heat, underscoring the harsh conditions.
Goin' way down
Expressing a desire to escape or go somewhere cooler.
Mama won't you carry me
Asking for help, possibly from a maternal figure.
Handle so hot I can't stand it
Describing the discomfort and difficulty of the work.
Might shrivel up and blow away
Highlighting the oppressive nature of the midday sun.
Noonday sun make you crazy
Attributing irrational behavior to the extreme heat.
Least, that's what the old men say
Referring to traditional wisdom or beliefs of older individuals.
Bottom land hard as a gravestone
Describing the challenging nature of the land being worked on.
Couldn't cut it with an axe
Emphasizing the toughness of the task at hand.
Gonna lay me down right here
Expressing a desire to rest or give up in the current location.
And that's a fact
Asserting the decision to take a break here.
It's a hundred and ten
Reiteration of the extreme temperature, emphasizing the struggle.
Hundred and ten in the shade
Repeating the intensity of the heat for emphasis.
Goin' way down
Reiterating the desire to escape or find relief.
Mama won't you carry me
Seeking assistance, particularly from a maternal figure.
Sometimes late in the evenin'
Reflecting on a quiet evening and contemplation.
Everything is quiet and still
Describing a peaceful and still environment.
I set here and think about leavin'
Expressing thoughts about leaving but uncertain if it will happen.
Lord, I guess I never will
Acknowledging personal struggles or hardships.
Heartache down in that city
Describing emotional pain associated with an urban environment.
Bright light scares me anyway
Expressing fear or discomfort related to city lights.
Sure like a woman to talk in this place
Reiterating the desire for companionship in challenging times.
It's a hundred and ten
Emphasizing the extreme temperature once again.
Hundred and ten in the shade
Repeating the intensity of the heat, highlighting the struggle.
Goin' way down
Reiterating the desire to escape or find relief.
Mama won't you carry me
Seeking assistance, particularly from a maternal figure.
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