Match Box Blues
Blind Lemon Jefferson Lyrics
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How far to the river, walk down by the sea
I got those tadpoles and minnows all in over me
Standing here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I'se sittin' here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go
Lord, Lord, who may your manager be?
Hey, mama, who may your manager be?
Reason I ask so many questions, can't you make friends match for me?
I got a girl cross town she crochet all the time
I got a girl cross town crochet all the time
Baby if you don't quit crochet-in you gnnna lose your mind
I wouldn'y mind marryin', but I can't stand settlin' down
I don't mind marryin', but Lord, settlin' down
I'm gonna act like a preacher so I can ride from town to town
Well, I'm leavin' town, but that won't make me stay
I'm leavin' town, cryin' won't make me stay
Baby, the more you cry, the farther you drive me away
The song "Match Box Blues" by Blind Lemon Jefferson is a classic blues number that speaks about the hardships that the singer is facing in his life. The song starts with the singer asking his mother about the distance to the river and the sea. He then goes on to say that he has tadpoles and minnows all over him, which indicates that he might be homeless or living in tough conditions. The next line is about him wondering if a matchbox would hold his clothes, which emphasizes his dire situation. He may not have much, but he still has a long way to go.
The next verse talks about him asking his mother about who his "manager" could be. This line might mean that he is looking for someone who can help him navigate through his tough times. He asks his mother to help him make some friends who can lend him some matches. This line shows how people have to rely on just about anything to get by.
The final verse speaks about the singer's girlfriend who crochets all the time. He tells her that if she doesn't stop crocheting, she will lose her mind. The singer then talks about how he doesn't mind getting married, but he can't stand the idea of settling down. He wants to explore the world and be free. The song ends with the singer leaving town, and his girlfriend crying. However, he states that her tears won't change his decision.
Line by Line Meaning
How far to the river, mama, walk down by the sea
I am lost and wondering how far I am from the river, maybe you can help me by telling me how far I have to walk.
I got those tadpoles and minnows all in over me
I am so broke that I had to go fishing with my bare hands and caught nothing but tadpoles and minnows.
Standing here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I am standing here wondering if a small matchbox can hold all the clothes that I own and carry with me.
I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go
I don't have many matches but I have a long journey ahead and need them to light my way or start a fire for warmth.
Hey, mama, who may your manager be?
Excuse me, do you have any connections that can help me find a job and make some money?
Reason I ask so many questions, can't you make friends match for me?
I keep asking you questions because I need someone to introduce me to influential people who can help me find a job or a place to stay.
I got a girl cross town she crochet all the time
I have a girlfriend who is constantly knitting and crocheting, and it's driving me crazy.
Baby if you don't quit crochet-in you gnnna lose your mind
If you don't stop knitting and crocheting so much, it's going to drive both of us insane.
I don't mind marryin', but Lord, settlin' down
I don't mind getting married, but I don't like the idea of living in one place for the rest of my life and settling down.
I'm gonna act like a preacher so I can ride from town to town
I am thinking of pretending to be a preacher so that I can travel from town to town and not be questioned about my purpose or background.
I'm leavin' town, cryin' won't make me stay
I am leaving this town, and your tears won't make me change my mind or make me stay.
Baby, the more you cry, the farther you drive me away
The more you cry and get upset, the more you push me away and make me want to leave.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Whitehorse 99
Thanks Mr. Plant, this stuff is unbelievably good 😮
Richard McShane
Likes to listen this in the mornings sometimes
Breno Teixeira
Some here!!!!
Davi
Thunder Road Renato Russo
You go like
Murilo Monteiro
yes it is
BILLYLAWLESSOLIVIA
Lol, same Plant interview brought me here but ironically just the night before i was being introduced to Blind Lemon Jefferson watching the Bill Wyman Blues Odyssey DVD from 2002.
Dennis Hensley
I remember my uncle Larry Hensley singing this song when I was a little boy. He told me he learned it from Blind Lemon Jefferson. I think my uncle Larry does a good job singing & playing.
Anthony G Dalton
i would of loved an Uncle Larry in my life, nice for you to remember him here ❤️
Dieter Bruls
@dj is bad Larry Hensley recorded it in 1934 (Vocalion 02678), so 7 years after Blind Lemon Jefferson. He deliberately set out to copy a specific black performance and recorded it as a tribute to BLJ. So he might as well learned it from him. Not much of Hensley’s recordings survived, this one did.
greek salad
as in, he knew blind lemon jefferson when the guy was alive or he just heard it from a recording?