Illinois Blues
Journey to Illinois Blues: A Tale of Cotton, Love, and Good Times
Lyrics
You go to Banglin', tell my boys
Asking someone to inform the speaker's friends in Banglin'
You go to Banglin', tell my boys
Repetition, emphasizing the message to inform friends
What times I'm havin' up in Illinois
Sharing the enjoyable experiences or good times in Illinois
In Illinois, up in Illinois
Repetition, reinforcing the mention of Illinois
When I gin2 my little cotton I'm going to sell my seed
Discussing the process of harvesting and selling cotton
When I gin my little cotton and sell my seed
Reiterating the cotton-related activities
I'm gonna give my baby, everything she need
Expressing the intention to provide everything for the speaker's baby
Everything she need, ev'rything she need
Repetition, emphasizing the commitment to fulfill the baby's needs
I'm gonna give my baby everything she need
Reaffirmation of the commitment to provide for the baby
You know, I been in Texas and I been in Arkansas
Noting the speaker's past experiences in Texas and Arkansas
I been in Texas and I been in Arkansas
Repetition of past experiences, comparing them to Illinois
But I never had a good time till I got to Illinois
Expressing that the speaker had a good time only upon reaching Illinois
Up in Illinois, up in Illinois
Repetition, underscoring the significance of Illinois
The people will treat you just so-so so'3
Describing the treatment received in Illinois as average or mediocre
You'll never go back to old Banglin' no more
Suggesting that after experiencing Illinois, one won't return to Banglin'
Never no more, never no more
Repetition, emphasizing the decision not to return to Banglin'
I been to Chicago and I been to Detroit
Recalling visits to Chicago and Detroit
I been to Chicago and I been to Detroit
Repetition of city visits, highlighting the preference for Illinois
But I never had a good time till I got up in Illinois
Reiterating the idea that the speaker had a good time specifically in Illinois
In Illinois, up in Illinois
Repetition, reinforcing the connection to Illinois
When you go down in Banglin', will you tell my boys
Asking someone to inform the speaker's friends when in Banglin'
When you go down in Banglin', tell my boys
Repetition, reiterating the message to inform friends in Banglin'
What a good time's a-waitin' up in Illinois
Highlighting the anticipation of good times in Illinois
Up in Illinois, up in Illinois
Repetition, emphasizing the positive expectations in Illinois
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