Going down
Buddy Guy feat. Eric Clapton Lyrics


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I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
All of my health is failing;
Lord I'm going down slow
I'm going down slow.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
Tell her to pray for me
Forgive me for my sin
For all of my sin.
On the next train south look for my clothes back home.
On the next train south, look for my clothes back home.
Cause all of my health is failing
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
All of my health is failing
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
Feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.




I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Buddy Guy's "Going Down" tell the tale of a man whose health is failing rapidly. The repetition of the phrase "I have had my fun if I never get well no more" suggests that he has lived his life to the fullest, but now the consequences are catching up with him. His health is deteriorating, and he knows that his time is running out. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is resigned to his fate. He asks for forgiveness for his sins, and he wants his mother to know what has become of him.


As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly despondent. He instructs the listener to look for his clothes back home on the next train south, indicating that he expects to pass away soon. The final four lines of the song repeat the phrase "I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow" four times. The repetition of this line creates a sense of inevitability, as the singer appears to be accepting his fate.


Overall, the lyrics of "Going Down" paint a vivid picture of a man who has lived life on his own terms but is now facing the consequences of his actions. The repetition of certain phrases and the singer's resigned tone create a sense of finality, as if he knows that his time on earth is coming to an end.


Line by Line Meaning

I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
I have lived my life to the fullest, and even if I do not recover from my illness, I have no regrets.


All of my health is failing; Lord I'm going down slow.
My health is deteriorating, and I can feel myself getting weaker every day. I am slowly approaching my demise.


Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
I am so ill that I want to make sure that at least my mother knows about my current condition.


Tell her to pray for me Forgive me for my sin For all of my sin.
I am aware of my wrongdoing and sins, and I want my mother to pray for me and forgive me.


On the next train south look for my clothes back home.
I am so sick that I believe my time is coming. My clothes will be the only things that will make it back to my home.


Cause all of my health is failing Lord, I'm going down slow, I'm going down slow.
Again, I am dying slowly, and it's going to happen sooner than later.


All of my health is failing Lord, I'm going down slow, I'm going down slow.
I am not in good shape, and my condition is only getting worse with time.


Feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I can feel the end is near, and I am running out of time as each second passes.


I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I think my death is imminent, and I am coming to terms with it.


I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
My health is not improving, and I feel like I am slowly heading towards the end.


I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I am running out of time, and there is no escape from what's coming.


I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
There is a sense of inevitability, and I know that my time is up.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Joseph L

Cant hear Buddys guitar, but got to admit Clapton is just pure awesome, he just knows what to play at every moment, is so gifted

Stephen Hill

I agree, when EC is 'on' he's a cut above anyone at this style. Impeccable choice of note/phrase and always a killer tone.

Sandman💀

This is what happens when you put Clapton on stage, Live, with someone else in his league. He's just so much better live when he's got someone like that pushing him. Both just incredible ✌️

Suzanne Pope

STILL THE BEST EVER, WISH I WOULD HAVE SEEN HIM IN REAL-LIFE** PEACE, LOVE & MUSIC**

Nick G

He does bring out the best in others and there really is no other explanation other than Buddy is a conduit between the ethereal and this world connecting mortals to the divine and pure joy.

Miguel Tito

Very much so

Mary Goff

every note sounds like a voice...I love these two men!

Ron Esquerra

36 years later and ive seen both of these legends live within the past year.

Kathi Fede

Two of my favorites Damn Right I got the blues.

JOSE GARCIA

Me considero un amante de la música, tengo ahora 62 años, de Barcelona (españa), y de adolescente, a parte de engancharme a Led Zeppelin y los Beatles, claro, escuche mis primeros blues, y me dije, "esta es la música que me gusta!!!" y desde entonces, mezclada con Rock. Aquí dos de mis favoritos. Saludos

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