Black Ghost Blues
Haunted Dreams: Lightnin' Hopkins' Ode to the Black Ghost
Lyrics
Black ghost, black ghost
Reference to a haunting presence or a troubling entity described as a "black ghost."
Please stay away from my door
Requesting the black ghost to stay away from the speaker's door, suggesting a desire for distance or separation.
Black ghost, black ghost
Reiteration of the request for the black ghost to stay away.
Will you please stay away from my door
A repeated plea for the black ghost to stay away from the speaker's door.
Yeah, you know you worry po' Lightnin' so now
Expresses the distress caused by the black ghost, leading to the inability to sleep.
I just can't sleep no more
Continuing to convey the speaker's insomnia due to the distress caused by the black ghost.
Yeah, you know I go to dreaming first night
Describing a recurring dream where the black ghost is the dominant presence.
Black ghost is all po' Lightnin' can see
Emphasizing that in these dreams, the black ghost is the primary image seen by the speaker.
I go to dreaming first night,
Reiteration of the recurring nature of the dreams focused on the black ghost.
Black ghost is all po' Lightnin' can see
Highlighting the persistent presence of the black ghost in the speaker's dreams.
You know that's why I begin to wonder
Expressing curiosity or contemplation about why the black ghost continues to trouble the speaker.
Why you keeps on worryin' me
Questioning the reason behind the persistent worries caused by the black ghost.
Black ghost is a picture
Describing the black ghost as a visual manifestation or image.
And the black ghost is a shadow too
Highlighting the dual nature of the black ghost as both a picture and a shadow.
Whoa, black ghost is a picture
Reiteration of the description of the black ghost as both an image and a shadow.
And the black ghost is a shadow too
Emphasizing the dual nature of the black ghost.
You just can see him but you can't hear him talkin'
Stating the limitations in interacting with the black ghost—visible but unable to communicate audibly.
Ain't nothin' else that a black ghost can do
Highlighting the inability of the black ghost to engage in verbal communication.
Black ghost blues
A reference to the blues, emphasizing the emotional and psychological burden caused by the black ghost.
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