Dr. John began making his own idiosyncratic music in the 1960s. Along with Professor Longhair, Dr. John is heir to the rich New Orleans tradition. He is perhaps best known for "Right Place, Wrong Time", an international hit in 1973, reissued and used on soundtracks many times since.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, his professional musical career began as a session musician in New Orleans in the 1950s. Early on he also played guitar and was often known as Mac Rebennack. He switched to the bass ("the lowest time of my life"), and then the piano after his index finger was nearly shot off protecting his bandmate and longtime friend Ronnie Barron. He gained fame beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with music that combined New Orleans-style rhythm and blues with psychedelic rock and stage shows that bordered on voodoo religious ceremonies, including elaborate costumes and headdress. For a time he was billed as Dr. John, The Night Tripper. The name "Dr. John" came from a legendary Louisiana voodoo practitioner from the start of the 19th century.
Dr. John has also done vocals for Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' "Luv dat chicken..." jingle, as well as the theme song ("My Opinionation") for the early-1990s television sitcom Blossom. His movie credits include Martin Scorsese's documentary The Last Waltz (in which he joins The Band for a performance of his song "Such a Night") and Blues Brothers 2000 (in which he joins the fictional band The Louisiana Gator Boys to perform the song "New Orleans"). In the 2009 Disney film The Princess and the Frog, Dr. John sings the opening tune, "Down in New Orleans".
In January 2008 Mac Rebennack, Dr. John, was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.
I Walk On Guilded Splinters
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know they must be crazy
Don't see their misfortune
Guess they just lazy
J'suis the Grand Zombie
Yellow belt of choison
Ain't afraid of no tomcat
Walk through the fire
Fly through the smoke
See my enemy
At the end of dey rope
Walk on pins and needles
See what they can do
Walk on gilded splinters
With the king of the Zulu
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on gilded splinters
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on gilded splinters
Roll out my coffin
Drink poison in my chalice
Pride begins to fade
And y'all gon' feel my malice
Put some gris gris on your doorstep
Soon you'll be in the gutter
Melt your heart like butter
A-a-and I can make you stutter
Walk on gilded splinters
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on gilded splinters
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on gilded splinters
Coco Robicheaux I see power go
Come on down to my soiree
Bring your parain, your Marie, your Mamie, your Dondi
Your cousin, whole family
No fine de cose bonne?
La jovial la chandelle?
Se la fais la carabas?
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on guilded splinters
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on guilded splinters
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on guilded splinters
Con bu nay killy con con
Walk on guilded splinters
Yeah, on the Bayou
The song "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" by Dr. John is a hypnotic and enigmatic piece filled with voodoo imagery and references to supernatural powers. The opening lines of the song speak to the idea that some people underestimate the singer's ability to see through their facades and manipulations. He declares himself to be the Grand Zombie and Yellow Belt of Choison, indicating his elevated status in the voodoo community. He also asserts his fearlessness in the face of danger, proclaiming that he isn't afraid of any tomcat and is willing to fill his mind with poison.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, inviting the listener to join the singer in confronting their enemies and overcoming obstacles. Walking on pins and needles and gilded splinters suggests a willingness to endure pain and discomfort in order to achieve their goals. The use of Haitian creole in the chorus adds to the song's mystique and reinforces the idea that the singer has a wealth of hidden knowledge and power.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" create a dark and mystical atmosphere, drawing on the imagery and symbolism of voodoo tradition to explore themes of power, magic, and revenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people think they jive me
Some individuals attempt to deceive me, however they must be insane to think they can succeed.
Know they must be crazy
It is clear that these individuals must be insane to think they can deceive me.
Don't see their misfortune
I have no concern for their misfortune or the problems they face.
Guess they just lazy
The issues they face are likely due to their laziness and lack of effort.
J'suis the Grand Zombie
I am the Grand Zombie, a powerful figure in voodoo culture.
Yellow belt of choison
I hold the rank of yellow belt in voodoo martial arts, a prestigious achievement.
Ain't afraid of no tomcat
I hold no fear or concern for any opponents or challengers, no matter how powerful they may appear.
Fill my brains with poison
I consume toxic substances, which broaden and enhance my voodoo powers.
Walk through the fire
I am fearless, boldly walking through dangerous or uncomfortable circumstances.
Fly through the smoke
I soar above the chaos and confusion of life, not allowing it to affect me or cloud my judgement.
See my enemy
I am aware of the individuals opposing me or attempting to bring me harm.
At the end of dey rope
These opponents are struggling or losing in their efforts against me.
Walk on pins and needles
I walk confidently and carefully through tense situations, never letting my guard down.
See what they can do
I pay close attention to the actions of those around me, always anticipating their next move.
Walk on gilded splinters
I bravely strut through dangerous situations, with boldness and courage, unafraid of the risks or dangers.
With the king of the Zulu
I am accompanied by the powerful and mighty king of the Zulu tribe, who is on my side in all endeavors.
Con bu nay killy con con
These lines are likely in Haitian Creole or some secret voodoo-related language, and their meaning is unclear.
Roll out my coffin
I am so powerful and daring that I am unafraid even of death, jokingly referring to my coffin as something I can casually roll out.
Drink poison in my chalice
I gleefully imbibe toxic substances, which only serve to enhance my supernatural abilities and power.
Pride begins to fade
Even the strongest and most confident individuals experience moments of self-doubt and vulnerability.
And y'all gon' feel my malice
At these moments of weakness, I become prone to aggression and malicious actions, seeking revenge against those who have wronged me.
Put some gris gris on your doorstep
I am not above using supernatural powers to exact revenge or cause harm.
Soon you'll be in the gutter
I am so powerful that I can cause my enemies to fall from their lofty positions of power and influence, quickly reducing them to meaningless status.
Melt your heart like butter
My control over voodoo magic allows me to easily manipulate others, causing them to feel intense emotions or do my bidding with ease.
Yeah, on the Bayou
All of this is happening in the mystical and atmospheric setting of a Southern bayou.
Coco Robicheaux I see power go
Coco Robicheaux, a powerful figure in Louisiana culture, observes my voodoo powers in awe and admiration.
Come on down to my soiree
Join me at my party, a magical gathering where voodoo rituals and spellcasting take place.
Bring your parain, your Marie, your Mamie, your Dondi
Bring your loved ones or acquaintances to the party, as the more individuals present, the stronger the voodoo magic becomes.
Your cousin, whole family
No one is excluded from the party - bring your entire family and remain protected by my powerful voodoo magic.
No fine de cose bonne?
Again, this line is written in Cajun French and its meaning is unclear.
La jovial la chandelle?
These are more words of Cajun French that cannot be easily translated to English.
Se la fais la carabas?
This is likely a nonsense phrase, perhaps used to demonstrate the mysterious and confusing nature of voodoo magic.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Creaux
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markaes
I worked in a movie theater, and late at night I'd play music. I remember sitting alone in a pitch dark auditorium listening to this album over the sound system. Gave me shivers.
@Lucamathmos56
The mysterious sound of Louisiana: blues, psychedelia, bayou and voodoo spirits, magic, indigenous ancestral rhythms, African echoes and a call to French culture with Ravel traceable in the notes of the soprano sax
@carolecarle7921
Oh so beautifully said...thank you Luca Mathmos!!
@carolynstone6015
Nothing or no one like him ~ ~
@christygum3384
Great description ! Says it all !
@raycane4912
Bulls-EYE!
@MarilynChileseHatch
Damn. I've been trying to explain the essence of this song for decades. And you said it perfectly. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
@1blastman
When this album was released, I was in the Record Hunter in Westport, Conn and saw this cover, tried to read the back liner notes and this album basically said: "Buy Me" . I did; it blew me away, played for all my friends -- they tripped out on it and was a regular on my turntable.
In the 70's, I had a chance to move to New Orleans, and one of the deciding reasons I did was this lp. Been in South Louisiana since 1976 and have loved it. Saw Dr. John many times and he always satisfied.
This album turned out to be the top skin of a many layered onion that is New Orleans music.
After living down here for several years, I picked up the album cover again and read the back cover and what was a psychedelic mystery to my Yankee consciousness, made perfect sense to this now "Native Stepson".
Thank you Doctor, for bringing down to the "Land of Dreams".
RIP - Rock In Paradise...
@helenet.8217
I am a native of New Orleans and as a teenager used to dance at Buffalo's, a bar owned by my friend's father. I can remember Dr. John playing there, and the place was so small and the stage wasn't raised much at all so we could reach out and touch him. I had all of his albums as I worked at a records store, and loved Dr. John. He's the soul of the New Orleans in which I grew up. Desitively bonaroo, as Dr. John said! Rest in Peace and Music, Night Tripper.
@daviddring2365
Like creeping through the Louisiana swamps after midnight and seeing something you shouldn't.... fucking brilliant!!