Joe Louis and John Henry Blues
Ring-side Blues: Joe Louis and John Henry's Battle Unveiled
Lyrics
Well, while I was sit'n at Madison Square Gardens
Reflecting on being at Madison Square Gardens.
Now, just to watch the big fight come through
Anticipating the arrival of a significant boxing match.
Hoo-hoo, well
Expressing excitement or emphasis.
Well, just to watch the big fight come through
Reiterating the anticipation of the boxing match.
Well-well, the 'right-left' that Joe Louis was usin'
Referring to Joe Louis's boxing technique, particularly using 'right-left' punches.
Hoo-well, man
Expressing admiration or emphasis.
Give John Henry, Louis's head the blues, now
Stating that John Henry is affected emotionally by Louis's punches.
Well-well, then Joe's manager pat him on the shoulders
Describing Joe Louis's manager advising him not to use his right hand too quickly.
Says, 'Joe, don't you use that right so fast'
Quoting Joe Louis's manager's advice.
Hoo-well, said, 'Let me talk with you, now'
Indicating a desire to communicate further.
Said, 'Please don't use that right so fast'
Repeating the manager's plea to refrain from using the right hand too fast.
Well-well, I say 'You stop 'n let John Henrys catch his breaf'
Encouraging Joe Louis to pause and let John Henry recover.
Hoo-hoo, well 'just as long as he can last'
Emphasizing the importance of lasting in the match.
Well, that night I didn't have but fifty cents
Narrating a personal experience of having only fifty cents.
I was in Jackson wuppin' with the wimen an men
Describing being in Jackson, engaging with both men and women.
Hoo-well
Expressing excitement or emphasis.
Down in Jackson wuppin' with the wimen an men
Repeating the context of being in Jackson.
Well-well, then I betted my fifty cents on Joe
Stating a bet on Joe Louis in the match.
Hoo-hoo-well, now it time I won my fifty cent back, again
Claiming the victory of winning back the bet.
('Yas, yas, play it for me, you know')
A cue for musical instrumentation.
Well-well, then John Henry's manager told him
John Henry's manager advising him to use his right hand in the match.
He says, 'John Henry why don't you use yo' right, now?'
Quoting John Henry's manager's advice.
Hoo-well, says, 'Son let me talk wit'ch you'
Expressing a desire for communication.
'John Henry why don't you use yo' right?'
Reiterating the advice for John Henry to use his right hand.
Well-well, he said, 'Joe Louis 'ill block you wit' a-left'
Explaining that Joe Louis can counter with a left-hand punch.
Hoo-well man, 'An I swear man he just makes you tired'.
Describing the fatigue induced by Joe Louis's tactics.
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