I Wonder Why
Blues Wire Lyrics


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Last night I had a dream
I dream I died
The undertaker came
To carry me for the ride
I couldn't afford a coffin
Embalmin' kinda high
I jumped off my death bed
Cause I too poor to die
I's in trouble
And I'll tell you the reason why
I'm just too poor people
I'm too poor to go lay down and die

I dream at the cemetery
I couldn't afford enough
To pay the gravediggers
To cover me up
It cost a lot of money
Cause they was union men
I guess before I die
I better think again
I'm in trouble
And I'll tell you the reason why
I'm just too poor people
I'm too poor to go lay down and die

Dream I met the devil
He is waitin' at the gate
Say "come on in Red
You ain't a minute late"
Said he lead me to his kingdom
Lead me by my arm
But he wouldn't move my body
Less I grease his palm
I's in trouble
And I'll tell you the reason why




I'm just too poor people
I'm too poor to go lay down and die

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from the Blues Wire's song "I Wonder Why," which is a classic blues tune that depicts the struggle of being poor and facing death. The song starts with the singer having a dream where he dies, and the undertaker comes to take him away for the final journey. However, he could not afford a coffin or embalming, which are usually high expenses, and he had to jump off his death bed because he was too poor to die. The lyrics suggest that death is a luxury that only the rich can afford, and the poor are forced to live even in their demise.


In the following verse, the singer is dreaming of being in a cemetery, and he could not pay the gravediggers to cover him up, and it would cost a lot of money because they were union men. Unionization of workers created high standards, which often meant higher costs, making it difficult for poor people to afford basic necessities even in death. These lyrics show the harsh reality that poor people face and how their struggles continue even after death.


In the final verse, the singer dreams that he met the devil, who is waiting at the gate to lead him to his kingdom. However, the devil asks for a bribe to move his body, which was another difficulty that arises with being poor. The lyrics emphasize the idea that even in the afterlife, the poor are not treated equally and face more challenges.


Overall, the song highlights the struggles of being poor and death as a luxury that only the rich can afford. It depicts how poverty creates difficulties and challenges, and even in death, they don't get the same ease as the rich.


Line by Line Meaning

Last night I had a dream
I had a dream last night


I dream I died
In my dream, I died


The undertaker came
The undertaker came to retrieve my body


To carry me for the ride
To take me to the funeral home


I couldn't afford a coffin
I didn't have enough money to pay for a coffin


Embalmin' kinda high
The cost of embalming was too high


I jumped off my death bed
I decided to not die and got off my death bed


Cause I too poor to die
Because I don't have enough money to pay for my funeral


I's in trouble
I'm in a difficult situation


And I'll tell you the reason why
Let me explain why


I'm just too poor people
I'm just too poor


I'm too poor to go lay down and die
I don't have the money to afford dying


I dream at the cemetery
I had a dream about the cemetery


I couldn't afford enough
I didn't have enough money


To pay the gravediggers
To pay for the people who dig graves


To cover me up
To bury me


It cost a lot of money
It was expensive


Cause they was union men
Because they were part of a union


I guess before I die
I should consider this before I actually die


I better think again
I should reconsider my options


Dream I met the devil
I had a dream about meeting the devil


He is waitin' at the gate
He was waiting for me at the gate


Say "come on in Red
He invited me in


You ain't a minute late"
You're not late at all


Said he lead me to his kingdom
He said he would take me to his kingdom


Lead me by my arm
He led me by my arm


But he wouldn't move my body
He wouldn't take me to his kingdom


Less I grease his palm
Unless I gave him money


I's in trouble
I'm in a difficult situation


And I'll tell you the reason why
Let me explain why


I'm just too poor people
I'm just too poor


I'm too poor to go lay down and die
I don't have the money to afford dying




Lyrics © SOUTHERN PINES MUSIC PUB CO
Written by: IVERSON MINTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jamesjohnson-yu5fq

When I Wake Up and crawl out of bed I'm Rockin to the Blues. The Blues shakes me till I'm feeling like a child . I ain't no child and the Blues gets me moving every day. I play the Blues loud and that's the way I like it. I will never change and I like it anyway.

@olehblashchuk9483

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