When My Wife Quit Me
Love Lost and Lessons Learned: John Lee Hooker's Reflections on Heartbreak
Lyrics
When my first wife left me, she left my heart in misery
Expresses the emotional pain and heartbreak caused by the departure of the first wife, leading to misery.
When my first wife left me, she left my heart in misery
Reiterates the impact of the first wife leaving, emphasizing the lingering misery in the narrator's heart.
Ever since that day, boy, I don't think I'll ever love again
Reflects on the aftermath, suggesting a profound doubt about the possibility of experiencing love again after the departure.
If I can get her back again, I'll never roam no more
Expresses a desire to reconcile with the first wife and a commitment to fidelity by vowing not to wander anymore.
If I get her back again, boys, I'll never roam no more
Reaffirms the commitment to fidelity, pledging not to roam again if the first wife is brought back.
I had a good wife, but I did not treat her right
Admits to having had a good wife but acknowledges mistreatment and not treating her right.
It's my fault; only have myself to blame
Takes responsibility for the failed relationship, acknowledging personal fault and blaming only oneself.
It's my fault, it's my fault, boys; I only have myself to blame
Reiterates self-blame, emphasizing that the narrator is solely responsible for the relationship's deterioration.
She would have been home right now if I hadn't wanted every woman that I seen
Admits that the narrator's desire for other women contributed to the first wife's departure, preventing her from being at home.
I found out one thing: these women don't mean you no good
Shares a general realization that women, in the narrator's experience, do not have good intentions.
I found out one thing, people: these women don't mean you no good
Reiterates the realization about the negative intentions of women, suggesting a cautionary tone.
You mistreated a good girl for some woman that she'd turn around and turn her back on you
Highlights the consequence of mistreating a good woman for others, implying betrayal and abandonment.
Yes, yeah
An exclamation, possibly emphasizing the gravity of the situation or the realization.
I'm having bad luck, having bad luck ever since she been gone
States the ongoing streak of bad luck experienced since the first wife's departure.
I'm having bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, ever since my baby been gone
Emphasizes the persistent bad luck, directly linking it to the absence of the narrator's baby (first wife).
When she was at home, Lord, I did not treat her right
Reflects on past behavior, admitting to not treating the first wife right when she was at home.
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