Going Down Slow
B.B. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've had my fun, people, If I don't get well no more
My heath is fallin' on me
Yes, and I'm going down slow
I want you to write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in
Oh please write my mother, tell her the shape I'm in
I want you tell her to pray for me, people
On that next train South, mother
You can look for my clothes on
On that next train South, mother
You can look for my clothes on
Yes, I had my fun, mother, this is all in prayers
Yes, I had my fun, people, mother, this is all in prayers
Yes, if you don't see this old body, mother
You know I'm gone out of this world somewhere
B.B. King's song "Goin' Down Slow" is a classic blues tune about a man who knows that his time is coming to an end. The opening lines, "I've had my fun if I don't get well no more. I've had my fun, people, if I don't get well no more," convey a sense of resignation and acceptance. The singer has lived his life the way he wanted to, and now he's paying the price for his choices. The repetition of the phrase "if I don't get well no more" emphasizes the singer's awareness of his own mortality.
The next stanza of the song finds the singer asking for help from those around him. "I want you to write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in. Oh please write my mother, tell her the shape I'm in. I want you tell her to pray for me, people. Well, to forgive for my sins." Here, we see the singer reaching out for support in a time of need. He wants his family to know that he's not doing well, and he wants them to pray for him and forgive him for his mistakes. The contrast between the carefree attitude of the first stanza and the desperate pleas of the second is striking.
The final stanza of the song is a farewell from the singer. "On that next train south, mother, you can look for my clothes on. Yes, I had my fun, mother, this is all in prayers. Yes, if you don't see this old body, mother, you know I'm gone out of this world somewhere." He knows that he's not going to get better, and he's ready to move on to whatever lies ahead. The mention of his clothes being left behind is a chilling reminder that death is coming for us all.
Overall, "Goin' Down Slow" is a poignant and powerful look at life and death, with B.B. King's signature guitar work adding to the emotional impact of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had my fun if I don't get well no more
I have enjoyed my life as much as I could, but if I do not recover from my illness, I am ready to leave this world.
I've had my fun, people, if I don't get well no more
Addressing the people around him, he communicates that he had a good time living, but if he does not regain his health, he is ready to move on.
My heath is fallin' on me
He feels the weight of his health declining strongly and in a significant manner.
Yes, and I'm going down slow
He is slowly and gradually approaching death.
I want you to write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in
He requests the people around him to inform his mother of his current state of health.
Oh please write my mother, tell her the shape I'm in
He pleads with those around him to communicate his present condition to his mother.
I want you tell her to pray for me, people
He implores the people around him to encourage his mother to pray for him and his well-being.
Well, to forgive for my sins
He wishes for his mother to be able to forgive him of any mistakes or sins he may have committed in his lifetime.
On that next train south, mother
He explains to his mother as if talking about his death, which is coming soon.
You can look for my clothes on
He implies that his mother should start packing his belongings as he won't use them anymore.
Yes, I had my fun, mother, this is all in prayers
He assures his mother he had fun living life, and his current state is prayed over and will be divine, no matter what happens.
Yes, I had my fun, people, mother, this is all in prayers
He reiterates to the people around him and his mother that he enjoyed life and what he is going through is entirely in divine intervention and prayers.
Yes, if you don't see this old body, mother
He gives a hint of the real possibility of his death to his mother.
You know I'm gone out of this world somewhere
He further clarifies that he will soon leave the world and venture into an afterlife of the unknown.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES B. ODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnmcallister36
On da next train south you can look for my clothes mother....Lawd have mercy...but if you dont see this ole body mother ...All you can do is Mooaann...Great God Almighty!!!
@lynnkuehn2164
I love you both. ❤ ❤❤😊
@savagesangrebayshitcrazy9940
Said I've had my Fun..
If I NEVER GET WELL NOMORE...
@kayewhite9022
Somebody write my mother & tell her tha shape I'm in
@anthonyrago
Thank you fine gents for the BLUES, it’s the only way.
@phyllissmith730
Ah Man. Good Times !!!
@ThoughtManifest
RIP BB king. Your legacy will live on forever!!!
@jaylaweaver5676
🎶 i can't just stop listening too good music
@truegod9544
unnnn yesssss when I’m alone I cry Lord.....
start that part over and over
agree with other guy hard to listen to rap once you pay attention to this quality of music
@katrinacustom3507
My uncle just pass today and this is what we listened to big fan since I was a kid