Dust My Broom
Elmore James/Various Lyrics


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I'm a get up in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm a get up in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I quit the best girl I'm lovin'
Now my friends can get in my room

I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
If I don't find her in ? (Matilda or West Hills, Lord) ?
She be in East Monroe I know

And I don't want no woman
Want every downtown man she meets
No I don't want no woman
Want every downtown man she meets
Man, she's a no good doney
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah

I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I believe, I believe my time ain't long




I ain't gonna leave my baby
And break up my happy home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elmore James's song 'Dust My Broom' are filled with themes of regret and loss, as the singer reflects on a recent breakup. The first verse sets the scene for the rest of the song with the singer waking up in the morning and deciding to 'dust my broom,' which is a saying that means leaving (sometimes abruptly) or moving on. The phrase is often used in blues music and is a metaphorical representation of the need to move on and leave one's troubles behind. In this case, the singer has recently broken up with the 'best girl I'm loving' and decides to move on from the situation.


The second verse sees the singer taking action in trying to find his lost love. He says that he is going to 'write a letter, telephone every town I know' in order to locate her. He mentions two possible locations ('Matilda or West Hills') but seems more convinced that she will be found in 'East Monroe.' The urgency of the singer's quest is apparent, as he is willing to leave no stone unturned in order to find his lost love.


The final verse has the singer firmly rejecting any possible future relationships, at least in terms of the kind of woman he wants to be with. He declares that he doesn't 'want no woman / Want every downtown man she meets.' Essentially, the singer is indicating that he wants a partner who is faithful and committed to him, rather than one who is promiscuous and sleeps around. He asserts that such a woman 'is a no good doney / They shouldn't allow her on the street.' This powerful condemnation of such behavior is typical of blues music, which often sees fidelity and loyalty as important values.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a get up in the mornin'
I'm going to wake up early in the morning


I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm going to leave town and move on from my troubles


I quit the best girl I'm lovin'
I left the love of my life


Now my friends can get in my room
I am no longer bound to a single woman and can entertain anyone in my home


I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
I'm going to reach out to everyone I know in every way possible to find my lost lover


If I don't find her in ? (Matilda or West Hills, Lord) ?
If I am unable to locate her in the immediate area


She be in East Monroe I know
I have a strong feeling she has gone to East Monroe


And I don't want no woman
I don't want a woman who is interested in every man she meets


Want every downtown man she meets
She has shown interest in men in the city


Man, she's a no good doney
She is a worthless and deceitful person


They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
She is not fit to be in public, according to the singer


I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I feel that my time on earth is limited


I ain't gonna leave my baby
I will not abandon my love


And break up my happy home
And destroy the happiness that we have built together




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ELMORE JAMES, ROBERT JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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