Bibb was born on 16th August 1951 in New York into a musical family. His father, Leon Bibb, is a trained singer who sang in musical theatre and made a name for himself as part of the 1960s New York folk scene. His uncle was the world-famous jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Family friends included Pete Seeger, Odetta, and actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, Bibb'sgodfather.
Bibb was given his first steel-string guitar when he was seven years old. Growing up surrounded by talent, he recalls a childhood conversation with Bob Dylan, who, on the subject of guitar playing advised the eleven-year-old Bibb to "Keep it simple, forget all that fancy stuff".
At sixteen years old, Bibb's father invited him to play guitar in the house band for his television talent show Someone New. Bibb's early musical heroes were from his father's band, and included Bill Lee (father of director Spike), who appeared on Bibb's album Me To You, years later.
In 1969, Bibb played guitar for the Negro Ensemble Company at St Mark's place in New York, and went on to study Psychology and Russian at Colombia University, but at the age of nineteen he left for Paris, where a meeting with guitarist Mickey Baker focused his interest in blues guitar. When he later moved to Sweden, Bibb found a creative environment which took him back to Greenwich Village during the heyday of the folk revival. Settling in Stockholm, Bibb immersed himself in pre-war blues and continued to write and perform.
The album Good Stuff was released in 1997, and led to Bibb signing to the British based Code Blue label. Eric's only release on Code Blue was Me to You, featuring appearances from some of Bibb's personal heroes in Pops and Mavis Staples, and Taj Mahal (who also worked with Bibb on the Grammy-nominated children's record, Shakin' a Tailfeather). The album furthered Bibb's international reputation and was followed by tours of the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany.
In the late 1990s Bibb joined forces with his then manager, Alan Robinson, to form Manhaton Records, in Britain. The albums Home to Me (1999), Roadworks (2000), and Painting Signs (2001) followed, as did another Opus 3 release, Just Like Love.
Tell Ol Bill
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell ol' Bill when he comes home
Tell ol′ Bill when he comes home
Leave them down town girls alone
This morning, so soon
Bill left home by the alley gate this morning
Bill left home by the alley gate
Old Sal said, "Hey Bill, don't be late"
This morning, so soon
Bill's sweet wife was baking bread in the morning
Bill′s sweet wife was baking bread
Bill′s sweet wife was baking bread
When she found out her Bill was dead
This morning, so soon
She cried, "Oh no, it cannot be
Oh no, it cannot be"
She cried, "Oh no, it cannot be"
They killed my Bill in the third degree
This morning, so soon
Well, they brought Bill home in a hurry-up wagon
Brought him on home in a hurry-up wagon
They brought Bill home in a hurry-up wagon
Poor old Bill his boots were draggin'
Tell ol′ Bill when he comes home this morning
Tell ol' Bill when he comes home
Tell ol′ Bill when he comes home
Leave them down town girls alone
This morning, this morning, in the morning
Oh, oh
In Eric Bibb's song "Tell Ol Bill," the lyrics tell a story of a man named Bill who leaves home and meets a tragic fate. The repetition of the phrase "Tell ol' Bill when he comes home" emphasizes the urgency and importance of the message to be delivered to him. The line "Leave them downtown girls alone" suggests that Bill may have a habit of getting involved with women from the city, and the singer wants to warn him against it.
The second verse reveals that Bill left home through the alley gate, indicating his desire for secrecy or perhaps a less conventional route. The mention of "Old Sal" could be a friend or acquaintance who warns Bill not to be late, implying that he may be involved in something risky or time-sensitive.
The third verse shifts the focus to Bill's wife, who is innocently carrying out her daily tasks, symbolized by her baking bread. The sudden revelation of Bill's death brings a shock to her, as expressed by her cry of disbelief: "Oh no, it cannot be." The mention of her discovering his death "this morning, so soon" further emphasizes the unexpected and tragic nature of the event.
The final verse describes the aftermath of Bill's death. His body is brought home in a hurry-up wagon, indicating the urgency of the situation. The image of his boots dragging illustrates his lifeless state, adding to the overall sorrow and grief depicted in the song.
The repetition of the refrain in the last verse reinforces the message to tell Bill to stay away from downtown girls. The repetition also highlights the sense of loss and the need to pass on the warning, while the emphasis on "this morning" serves as a reminder of the abruptness and impact of Bill's demise.
Overall, "Tell Ol Bill" is a mournful narrative about a man's untimely death and the consequences of his actions. It explores themes of temptation, regret, and the ripple effect of our choices on loved ones left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell ol′ Bill when he comes home this morning
Inform ol' Bill upon his arrival this morning
Tell ol' Bill when he comes home
Notify ol' Bill upon his return
Leave them down town girls alone
Refrain from interacting with the girls in town
Bill left home by the alley gate this morning
Bill departed from home through the alley gate earlier today
Bill left home by the alley gate
Bill exited the residence via the alley gate
Old Sal said, 'Hey Bill, don't be late'
Old Sal exclaimed, 'Hey Bill, ensure you are not delayed'
Bill's sweet wife was baking bread in the morning
Bill's affectionate spouse was preparing bread during the early hours
When she found out her Bill was dead
Upon discovering her beloved Bill had passed away
She cried, 'Oh no, it cannot be'
She wept and uttered, 'Oh no, it is impossible'
They killed my Bill in the third degree
They unjustly took the life of my Bill in a severe manner
They brought Bill home in a hurry-up wagon
They transported Bill's body back swiftly in a wagon
Poor old Bill his boots were draggin'
Regrettably, poor old Bill's boots were being pulled along
This morning, this morning, in the morning
During the present morning, specifically the morning time period
Oh, oh
Expressing emotional distress or realization
Writer(s): Dp, Eric Charles Bibb
Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@manoneal1724
Love this.
@f22at12mm
10/10