I'm a Ramblin' Man
Wanderlust's Warning: The Ramblin' Man's Journey
Lyrics
I've been down the Mississippi,
I've traveled along the Mississippi River.
Down through New Orleans,
I've been to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Yes, I have.
A confirmation of the previous statement.
I've played in California,
I've performed in California.
There ain't too much I haven't seen.
I've experienced a lot in life.
No, there ain't.
A reaffirmation of the previous line.
Well, I'm a ramblin' man,
Expressing that he is a wandering and free-spirited man.
Don't fool around with a ramblin' man.
Advising against getting involved with a man who loves to roam.
Left a girl in West Virginia,
He left a girl in West Virginia.
Up there where that green grass grows,
Referring to a place where life is good and easy.
Yes, I did.
A confirmation of leaving someone in West Virginia.
Another girl in Cincinnati,
He left another girl in Cincinnati.
Waitin' where the Ohio River flows,
She's waiting where the Ohio River flows.
Poor girl!
An empathetic remark about the girl in Cincinnati.
I'm a ramblin' man,
Reiterating that he is a wanderer.
Don't give your heart to a ramblin' man.
Warning against giving one's heart to a man who roams.
You'd better move away,
Suggesting that someone should keep a distance.
You're standin' too close to the flame.
Warning against getting too close to the flame (danger).
Once I mess with your mind,
Implying that once he influences someone's thoughts, their feelings will change.
Your little heart won't beat the same.
Describing the impact of his actions on someone's emotions.
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,
Reasserting that he is a wandering man.
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man.
Emphasizing the advice not to get involved with a wandering man.
Better not!
A stern warning.
Well, up in Chicago,
He was known as "Quiet Boy" in Chicago.
I was known as "Quiet Boy,"
Confirmation of his nickname in Chicago.
Yes, I was!
An enthusiastic confirmation of his nickname.
Down in Alabama,
In Alabama, he is known as "The man of joy."
They call me "The man of joy,"
Confirmation of his joyful reputation in Alabama.
Still do!
A continuing affirmation of being the "man of joy."
Well, I'm a ramblin' man,
Reiterating that he is a wandering man.
Don't fall in love with a ramblin' man.
Cautioning against falling in love with a wandering man.
You'd better move away,
Advising to keep a distance, as standing too close may lead to harm.
You're standin' too close to the flame.
Repeating the warning about standing too close to the flame (danger).
Once I mess with your mind,
Re-emphasizing the lasting impact of his influence on someone's mind.
Your little heart won't beat the same.
Describing the profound effect on someone's emotions after he influences their mind.
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,
Reaffirming that he is a wandering man.
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man.
Restating the advice not to mess around with a wandering man.
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