Goin' Down Slow
Bo Diddley Muddy Waters & Little Walter Lyrics


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Alright, alright.
Thank you so much ladies and gentlemen right here,
Right here I want to tell you a little story.
This is about a country boy from down home.
This young man has never been north before.
I want you to listen to me, I got something to tell
You.
He heard about Chicago.
He worked hard over here, made all of that money, 800
Dollars.
After caring for his crop, he called his cousin in
Chicago,
And he said, "Cousin, I'm on my way".
He picked all of that cotton.
I said this is about a country boy like myself, B.B.
King you know.
So when he get to Chicago, his cousin meet him and
Bring him out to the club.
He said, "Set him up!", cous's payin' for.
Had all the go-go girls set up, waitin' up.
They carried him downtown and put him up in one of the
Pleasure hotels.
They brought him back out and said, "Set him up!",
Cous's payin' for.
His money got a little lighter, they lured him out from
The Lute and brought him down to Robert's.
And then he said, "Set him up!", cous's payin' for.
And then the 800 dollars, bein' more money then my man
Had ever had, began to run out.
Then they moved him out and put him down with the...
And then, ladies and gentlemen, the go-go girls would
Get fewer.
His friends was fewer.
All his buddies are startin' passin' him on the other
Side of the street.
And then it happened all his buddies were gone.
And my man knew only one thing to do, it was getting
Cold there, like it is today,
You know what I'm talking about.
He went down to the railroad yard,
And one of the few ladies that had helped him to spent
His money, came by to see him.
And she said "You fool!, you fool!", I wouldn't have
Spend your money, but the rest of them was spending
Your money so I decided to spend my portion too, you
Know.
But ladies, God bless 'em, wonderful something's aren't
They?.
They always like to feel like they're needed, and she
Knew my man needed her bad.
He gotten sick, he's layin' down there under the
Boxcar.
Couldn't read so well, so you know if he couldn't read
So well, he couldn't write too well,
You know what I'm talkin' about?
So this is a letter back down home, I know what I'm
Talkin' about.
It go like this:

I've had my fun, whoah, if I don't get well no more
Whoah, I've had my fun, people, ooh, if I don't get
Well no more
Yes, my health is faillin' on me now, people
Ooh, and I'm goin', goin' down slow

Yes, tell my mother, people, please tell her the shape
I'm in
Ooh yes, tell my people, mother, tell her the shape I'm
In
Tell her to pray for me, people, ooh, to forgive,
People, my sins

Oohooh mother, mother I live alone with my prayers
Ooh, tell my mother, people, tell her this is all in
Prayers




Yes, if you don't see this old body, mother
Hey, you know I'm out in the world somewhere

Overall Meaning

The song "Going Down Slow" by Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters is a slow blues number that tells the story of a man who has lived a wild and reckless life and is now facing the consequences of his actions. The opening lines reveal that the man is not interested in material possessions or wealth, but he has indulged in the pleasures that life has offered him, which are unavailable to kings and queens. The good times that he has experienced have taken a toll on his health, and he knows that he is going down slow as his body starts to give up on him.


As the song progresses, the man talks about his past exploits and how he has spent more money than a millionaire. He doesn't regret his actions but acknowledges that he could have been wealthy if he had managed his money more wisely. The mention of women in the song suggests that these exploits may have been in the realm of romantic encounters, which probably led to his current condition.


In the final verse, the man asks someone to write to his mother and inform her of his situation. He knows that he cannot turn back time or undo his past deeds, so he requests his mother's prayers and forgiveness for his sins. The song ends with a repetition of the refrain, "Oh my health is fading, oh yes I'm going down slow," which underscores the sense of impending doom that hangs over the man.


Line by Line Meaning

Man
Listen here, my friend


You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens will never have
I don't like things that even the royalty can't have


And things kings and queens can never get
I don't enjoy things that even the royalty can't obtain


And they don't even know about
Things that even kings and queens are unaware of


And good times, mmmmm
I love to have fun


I have had my fun
I've had my fill of enjoyment


If I never get well no more
Even if I never recover from my illness


Oh my health is fading
I'm getting weaker by the day


Oh yes I'm going down slow
I know I'm dying slowly


Now lookit here
Listen up


I did not say I was a millionaire
I never claimed to be a rich man


But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire
I've spent a lot of money in my life


Cause if I had kept all the money then I already had spent
If I had saved all the money I spent


Then I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
I would have been wealthy a long time ago


And women, great googly moogly!
And women, oh my goodness!


Please write my mother
Please send a letter to my mother


Tell her the shape I'm in
Tell her about my current condition


Tell her to pray for her son
Ask her to pray for my well-being


Forgive me for my sins
Ask for forgiveness for my wrongdoings




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES B. ODEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Vladimir Sánchez

Incredible song, three legends in one song

Ian Chapman

+Vladimir Sánchez I can't believe this trio ever recorded together. Fantastic

Greezy Bacon

Exactly. In my opinion, Howlin' Wolf is the best bluesman ever. I love his music. But him and Muddy were head-to-head rivals. This is very mind boggling.

Julian Willett

Wow! I thought there would be a clash of showmanship on this track but i was so very very wrong, amazing!

Kenneth Patterson

I feel lucky to have seen these three gents live, but not together. I'm that old. Play me some blues.

Kenneth Patterson

Another mule been kickin' in your stall........LOL. Muddy lives!

Richard Evans

Is it just me or did Muddy Waters possess one of the most indentifiable guitar licks in recorded history?

Fer Bluesoil

naaa...sin Muddy todo hubiese sido mas dificil.!

JimmySteller

Certainly up there, but I think Albert King has the most identifiable guitar licks, personally.

Pablo Pérez

+JimmySteller Freddie

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