Hellhound on My Trail
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics


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Gotta keep movin'
Gotta keep movin'
Hellhound on my trail
Hellhound on my trail

If today was Christmas day
If today was Christmas day
And tomorrow was Christmas Eve
Lord, wouldn't we have a time, boys

I gotta keep on movin'
Gotta keep on movin'




That hellhound is on my trail
Hellhound on my trail

Overall Meaning

The song Hellhound on My Trail by Cassandra Wilson is a cover of the original song by legendary blues musician Robert Johnson. The song describes the feeling of being pursued relentlessly by a "hellhound," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for a variety of things, such as personal demons, fate, or the law. The urgency of the situation is emphasized by the repetition of the line "gotta keep movin'," conveying the sense that stopping or slowing down would be catastrophic.


The second verse sets up a contrast between the desperate situation described in the first verse and the idea of a joyous occasion like Christmas. However, even in this hypothetical scenario, the "hellhound" is still present and the singer would still need to keep moving. This powerful imagery captures the sense of being haunted by something that can't be escaped, no matter the circumstances.


Line by Line Meaning

Gotta keep movin'
I need to keep moving quickly and constantly.


Hellhound on my trail
I feel constantly pursued or haunted by something threatening, like a vicious dog.


If today was Christmas day
If it were a special, joyous day.


And tomorrow was Christmas Eve
If the excitement and anticipation of that day were almost tangible.


Lord, wouldn't we have a time, boys
Everyone would be celebrating and having a great time together.


I gotta keep on movin'
I must continue to move quickly and constantly, as my situation is urgent.


That hellhound is on my trail
I am relentlessly pursued or haunted by something threatening, like a vicious dog.




Writer(s): Robert Leroy Johnson (protecte D Shares)

Contributed by Camden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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