Born in Chicago
Born in Chicago: A Blues Tale of Loss and Survival
Lyrics
I was born in Chicago at nineteen and forty-one
The singer states their birth in Chicago in 1941.
I was born in Chicago at nineteen and forty-one
Reiteration of the birth in Chicago in 1941.
Well, my father told me
The singer recalls advice from their father, urging them to be armed.
"Son, you had better get a gun"
Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing the need for protection.
Well, my first friend went down
Reference to the singer's first friend experiencing a downfall at the age of 17.
When I was 17 years old
Clarifying the age at which the first friend faced adversity.
Well, my first friend went down
Reiteration of the first friend's downfall.
When I was 17 years old
Confirming the age of 17 when the first friend encountered difficulties.
Well, there's one thing I can say about that boy
The singer expresses a decisive statement about the first friend, suggesting they need to leave or change.
He gotta go
Reiterating the urgency for the first friend to depart or transform.
Well, my second friend went down
Introduction of the singer's second friend facing challenges at the age of 21.
When I was 21 years of age
Clarifying the age at which the second friend encountered difficulties.
Well, my second friend went down
Reiteration of the second friend's downfall.
When I was 21 years of age
Confirmation of the age of 21 when the second friend faced adversity.
Well, there's one thing I can say about that boy
The singer offers a judgmental comment on the second friend, suggesting they should turn to prayer.
He gotta pray
Reiterating the recommendation for the second friend to pray as a solution.
Well, now rules are alright
The singer reflects on the acceptability of rules if there are participants in the game.
If there's someone left to play the game
Reiteration of the conditional acceptance of rules, dependent on active participants.
Well, now rules are alright
Restating the idea that rules are fine when there are players engaging in the game.
If there's someone left to play the game
Emphasizing the condition that rules are acceptable when there are participants in the game.
All my friends are going
The singer notes the departure of all their friends, leading to a sense of things not being the same.
And thing's just don't seem the same
Highlighting the changed atmosphere or environment due to the absence of friends.
Oh, thing's just don't seem the same, babe
Reiteration of the observation that things have changed, possibly expressing a sense of loss or nostalgia.
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