Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor
Mississippi John Hurt Lyrics
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Make me down a pallet on your floor
Make me a pallet down, soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor
Up to country twenty miles or more
Going up to country twenty miles or more
Going up to country where the cold, sleet and snow
No tellin' how much further I might go
Well make me down a pallet on your floor
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Make me a pallet close behind your door
Make it where your good man never goes, now
Oh, my good gal catch you here
Don't you let my good gal catch you here
She, might shoot you, might cut and scar you too
No tellin' what that gal might do
Oh make me down a pallet on your floor
Just make me down a pallet on your floor
Make me down, a pallet soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor
Oh make me down
Yeah make me down
Make me a pallet down, soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor
Well make me down, make me down
Right over here in the corner would be fine baby, hm
Yeah, this roll-out blanket right there in
Yeah, come on over baby
The lyrics to Mississippi John Hurt's "Make Me a Pallet On the Floor" speak of a traveler who seeks refuge in the home of his lover. The first verse says "make me down a pallet on your floor," which is a request for a place to rest for the night. The subsequent verse "up to country twenty miles or more" suggests that he has journeyed a long way to get there. The theme of distance and the cold weather also appear in the following lines "going up to country where the cold, sleet, and snow, no telling how much further I might go." The singer pleads with his lover to "make it where her good man never goes," suggesting that she is also in a relationship with someone else. The final verse warns of the potential danger that could befall the traveler if he were to be discovered by the jealous lover.
The song has its roots in the traditional African-American folk song "The Wagoner's Lad," which dates back to at least the 19th century. Mississippi John Hurt's version of the song was recorded in 1928 and influenced other blues and folk musicians such as Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, and Doc Watson. The song has been covered over 200 times, providing a platform for numerous musical interpretations. Notably, the song was featured in O Brother, Where Art Thou? as well as the TV series The Walking Dead.
Line by Line Meaning
Well make me down a pallet on your floor
Please create a bed for me on the floor
Up to country twenty miles or more
I'm traveling a long distance to reach you
Make me a pallet close behind your door
Create my bed near your door, away from your husband
Oh, my good gal catch you here
If my wife finds you here with me
Just make me down a pallet on your floor
Please create a bed for me on the floor
Make me down, a pallet soft and low
Create a soft and low bed for me
Well make me down, make me down
Please create my bed
Right over here in the corner would be fine baby, hm
I prefer to sleep in the corner
Yeah, this roll-out blanket right there in
Use this roll-out blanket to make my bed
Yeah, come on over baby
Join me in my bed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN S HURT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stphnmrrs3982
His voice sounds so kind
@hanserikkratholmrasmussen6623
Absolutely.
@winstonchurchill624
This song makes me so happy. Just hearing that guitar makes me smile.
@ojberrettaberretta5314
same such great music
@homefreeonasuzuki7999
Stop that smiling... It should be illegal!!
@jillishan
Agreed Winston and God bless the Queen and The Great British Isles
@janelljohnston8616
always loved this song even when i first heard it living in my little car homeless this song helped the shit path of life at time super good. so grateful as i was that friends allowed me a spot on thier floor. i got up though. and i share my pallet as often as needed. give back always appreciate things you get better attitude and move on with a step in your foot. love my blues.
@themanwithnoname5325
I hope that the future generations can keep John’s and others in his era memory alive. Such beautiful music and amazing instrumental work.
@ladycharsw
Loved John's singing. Thank you John 🙏❣️.🎶🙋 Charlotte in Oregon
@PopTartNeko
Ridiculously good. Some of the best music in the planet.
Bluesmen from this era have such mastery of the scale and can put so much heart and soul into one instrument. Honest and soulful music that will put Mozart or Borvoven to shame.