Levee Camp Blues
Blind Struggles and Levee Tales: Mississippi Fred's Melodic Journey
Lyrics
Well, I worked on the levee
Expressing the speaker's past employment on a levee.
Till I went stone blind
Indicates that the speaker became blind due to the work on the levee.
Well, I worked on the levee, baby
Reiterating the speaker's history of working on the levee.
'Till I went stone blind
Re-emphasizing the impact of working on the levee causing blindness.
Well, you can't do me
Suggesting that mistreatment similar to that of "po' shine" won't affect the speaker.
Like you done po' shine
Comparing the mistreatment to that of "po' shine," indicating resilience.
Lord, you took his money
Referring to someone taking money, possibly depicting exploitation.
I declare, you can't take mine
Asserting that the speaker's money won't be taken despite the previous exploitation.
Captain, come out drive him
Referring to a captain and a request to drive someone away.
And he won't go long all around
Describing the person to be driven away as likely lingering around.
How can I drive him, captain?
Questioning how to drive the person away, showing uncertainty.
And he won't go long all around
Reiterating the difficulty of keeping the person away from the vicinity.
He won't eat no oatmeal
Highlighting the person's refusal to eat certain foods.
Or he won't even eat his corn
Indicating the person's selective eating habits.
I'm a long line skinner
Identifying the speaker as a long line skinner with a short line, possibly conveying life's challenges.
I got the shortest line
Reiterating the speaker's status as a long-time skinner with a short line.
I'm a long time skinner
Re-emphasizing the speaker's long-time experience as a skinner.
I got the shortest line
Repeating the idea of being a long line skinner with the shortest line.
I'm a long line skinner
Continuing the theme of being a long line skinner with a short line.
But I've got the shortest line
Asserting the speaker's identity as a long line skinner with the shortest line.
Well, I worked on levee
Repeating the speaker's past work on the levee.
Honey and I worked old Belle
Mentioning working on levee and old Belle, suggesting a broader work experience.
Well, I worked old Lou Captain
Referring to working with Captain Lou and Belle again.
Lordy and I worked old Belle
Repeating the idea of working with Captain Lou and Belle.
I couldn't find a mule
Expressing difficulty in finding a mule with a suitable shoulder.
Lord with a shoulder well
Highlighting the challenges faced while working with the mule.
Lord, that captain hollerin, hurry
Depicting urgency in the captain's command to hurry.
Boy, you know I'm almost flyin'
Expressing the speaker's fast-paced movement in response to the captain's command.
Well, that captain hollerin', hurry
Reiterating the captain's urgency and the speaker's swift response.
Lordy and I'm almost flyin'
Emphasizing the imminent departure, with the speaker almost flying.
Lord, he ain't gotta worry a bit, baby
Stating that the captain has no need to worry as everything is going smoothly.
He won't even keep time
Indicating that the person being driven away won't keep time, possibly implying detachment.
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