"On the Road Again" was adapted by Alan Wilson from a song of the same name recorded in 1953 by Floyd Jones (July 21, 1917 - December 19, 1989), a Chicago blues musician. Jones' song was itself an adaptation of "Big Road Blues," recorded in 1928 by Delta blues musician Tommy Johnson.
With his knowledge of Eastern music, Wilson used a tambura drone to give the song a hypnotic effect and a psychedelic edge. The song features Wilson as the lead singer and harmonica player. The B-side of the single was entitled "World in a Jug."
The song also appears in the 1998 movie Hideous Kinky.
Harmonica retuning
"On The Road Again" is famous for its harmonica solo, which has a note played in it that is very mysterious as it is not playable without an overblow. Alan Wilson retuned his harmonica's six hole up a half step.
on the road again
Canned Heat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can't carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else
The lyrics of the song "On the Road Again" by Canned Heat depict a weary traveler who is exhausted from crying but is still on the road once again. The song touches on the experience of traveling alone and the hardships that come with it. The singer talks about the first time he traveled in the rain and snow, without a payroll or a place to go. The lyrics reveal that the singer had a difficult childhood, as his mother had left him when he was young and deemed him a wicked son. The song, therefore, reveals a deeper meaning about the emotional toll that traveling can take when one is alone and without a support system.
The theme of loneliness and sorrow is evident throughout the song, but it also reflects the resilience of the human spirit. The traveler is determined to keep moving forward and to carry on despite the difficulties he has faced. Through the lyrics, the singer is attempting to convince his mother not to cry anymore, as he is going down the road to a new adventure. The song ends with a realization that the journey cannot be taken alone. The traveler acknowledges that he cannot carry his baby, so he will need to find someone else to share the road with.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm so tired of crying
The singer is exhausted from feeling sad and emotional
But I'm out on the road again
Despite the exhaustion, the singer is once again traveling
I'm on the road again
The singer is traveling and doesn't know when they will stop
I ain't got no woman
The singer does not have a romantic partner
Just to call my special friend
The singer does not have anyone they can turn to for companionship
You know the first time I traveled
The singer is reflecting on their past experiences with traveling
Out in the rain and snow
Their first time traveling was in rough conditions
In the rain and snow
The weather was unpleasant during their first trip
I didn't have no payroll
The singer did not have any money
Not even no place to go
The singer had nowhere specific to travel to
And my dear mother left me
The singer's mother passed away when they were young
When I was quite young
The singer was still a child when their mother died
She said 'Lord, have mercy
The singer's mother expressed concern for her son's wellbeing
On my wicked son'
The singer's mother may have felt guilty for leaving her child behind
Take a hint from me, mama
The singer is giving advice to his mother, even though she is no longer alive
Please don't you cry no more
The singer does not want his mother to continue grieving for him
Don't you cry no more
The singer is hoping that his mother will move on
'Cause it's soon one morning
The singer believes that a new day is coming soon
Down the road I'm going
The singer is continuing to travel down a path they have chosen
But I ain't going down
The singer is determined not to give up
That long old lonesome road
The path is difficult and lonely
All by myself
The singer is alone on this journey
I can't carry you, baby
The singer cannot carry anyone else on his journey
Gonna carry somebody else
The singer will eventually find someone new to share his journey with
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Alan Wilson, Floyd Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lillpurvis67
LYRICS:
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled
Out in the rain and snow
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said, "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son."
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I ain't going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can't carry you, baby
Gonna carry somebody else
@paulggarcia3300
I was born 1959 Houston Texas Mexican American I joined the US Navy at the age of 17 I served 6 years always out at sea and then on the road again I'm just glad that now approaching 61 years old I don't have to be on the road any more God is good to those that want to be good in their heart peace to every one!👍💪😎 Paul Garcia.
@jazzynet1
man did we party to canned heat boogie in the early 70's. boy was that the time to live as a teenager :).
@Filotimos
If you love this song my friend, we are soul brothers
@joaquinduran670
I'm a disabled veteran at 60 yrs of age in Boyle Heights ELA ... My walking song always ... Classic 😎🇺🇸
@HAAKIE48CannedHeat
"Don't Forget To Boogie" Even in a Wheelchair, our Singer Bob "The Bear" Hite had to perform in a Wheelchair after accident with Metal Doors.
@charlessawallich1870
I dont even smoke weed but when I listen to this I smell it
@IMDWT
One of the (if not THE) best harmonica performances ever.
@crozcrosbie3895
once there was time, when we were so free in heart, mind and spirit, we could travel in any and all musical directions... no limits or boundaries of thought an creativity... this fabulous song encapsulates that Spirit
@MrMikadelic
It's ironic that songs so full of sadness, pain and suffering give us such joy and happiness.
@midnitehauler-usafcombatve644
Al Wilson was pure genius... musically, intelligence and as with most gifted people, introverted and socially awkward. Reminds me a lot of Sid of Pink Floyd. God puts these extraordinarily gifted people in front of us to enjoy for only a short time ... so enjoy their greatness.