Catfish Blues
Deep Delta Musings: Robert Petway's Catfish Blues Unveiled
Lyrics
Well I laid down
Expressing the act of laying down, possibly referring to rest or contemplation.
Down last night
Describing a recent occurrence of laying down the night before.
Well I tried to take my rest
Attempting to rest but facing a disturbance or distraction.
Notion struck me last night, babe I, I believe I take a stroll out, out west
Feeling inspired or compelled to take a stroll, particularly towards the west.
Take a stroll out, out west, take a stroll out, out west
Repetition emphasizing the desire to take a stroll out west.
Take a stroll out west, take a stroll out west
-What if I were a catfish, mama?
Pondering the idea of being a catfish in the deep blue sea.
I said, swimmin' deep down in, deep blue sea
Imagining swimming in the deep blue sea as a catfish.
Have these gals now, sweet mama, settin' out
Describing women setting out hooks, possibly metaphorical, to attract attention.
Settin' out hooks for, for me, settin' out hook for, for me
-Settin' out hook for, for me, settin' out hook for me
-Settin' out hook for me, settin' out hook for me
Repetition emphasizing the women's efforts to attract attention.
Well I went down, yeah, down to the church house, yes
Going to the church house, possibly seeking solace or guidance.
Well I called on me to pray
Calling on prayer for help or guidance.
Fell on my knees, now mama, I didn't know, Lord
Expressing a struggle to find words or communicate during the prayer.
Not a word to, to say, not a word to, to say, not a word to
-Not a word to, not a word to say, not a word to say, not a word to say
-Play 'em, man, play 'em a long time
An encouragement or directive to play music for an extended period.
I'm gonna write, write me a letter baby
Expressing an intention to write a letter.
I'm gonna write it just to see
Writing the letter with the purpose of understanding the recipient's thoughts.
See my babe, my baby who she's thinkin' of
Wondering about the thoughts of the speaker's significant other.
Little ol' thing on, on me, little ol' thing on, on me
-Little ol' thing on, on me, little ol' thing on, on me
-Little ol' thing on me, oh little thing on me
Repetition emphasizing the focus on the significant other's thoughts.
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