Me And The Devil Blues
Eric Clapton 2004 / Me & Mr. Johnson Lyrics
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When you knocked upon my door
Early this morning, ooh
When you knocked upon my door
And I said "hello Satan
I believe it's time to go"
Me and the Devil
Me and the Devil, ooh
Was walking side-by-side
I'm going to beat my woman
Until I get satisfied
She said "you don't see why
That I will dog her 'round"
Now baby you know you ain't doin' me right, now
She say "you don't see why, hoo
That I would dog her 'round"
It must-a been that old evil spirit
So deep down in the ground
You may bury my body
Down by the highway side
Baby, I don't care where you bury my body when I'm dead and gone
You may bury my body, hoo
Down by the highway side
So my old evil spirit
Can get a Greyhound bus and ride
The song "Me and the Devil Blues" by Robert Johnson is a haunting story of a man who has given in to the devil, symbolizing his own inner demons, and is now walking side-by-side with him. The song is a powerful representation of the dark side of humanity and the evils that can consume us when we succumb to temptation. Eric Clapton's 2004 rendition of the song pays homage to Johnson's original version, but adds his own unique flair and interpretation to the lyrics.
The singer in "Me and the Devil Blues" recounts how Satan has come to his door early in the morning, and he has decided to leave with him. They are now walking together, and the singer plans to take out his frustrations and anger on his woman until he feels satisfied. There is a clear sense of desperation and hopelessness in the lyrics, as the singer seems to have given up any sense of morality or redemption.
The woman in the song speaks up, questioning her mistreatment and the singer's lack of empathy. She attributes his behavior to an "old evil spirit" that is buried deep down in the ground. The song ends with the singer saying he doesn't care where his body is buried after he dies, as long as his old evil spirit can catch a Greyhound bus and ride.
Line by Line Meaning
Early this morning
The time-period when the events described in the lyrics happened is early morning.
When you knocked upon my door
Someone came and knocked on the singer's door.
And I said "hello Satan
I believe it's time to go"
The singer greeted the person at the door as Satan because he believes it's time for him to leave, indicating that he has made a deal with the devil.
Me and the Devil
Was walkin' side-by-side
The singer is walking next to the devil.
I'm going to beat my woman
Until I get satisfied
The singer plans to physically harm his partner until he is pleased with whatever she did wrong.
She said "you don't see why
That I will dog her 'round"
Now baby you know you ain't doin' me right, now
She say "you don't see why, hoo
That I would dog her 'round"
It must-a been that old evil spirit
So deep down in the ground
His partner accuses him of treating her badly and says that it is because of an evil spirit that is possessing him.
You may bury my body
Down by the highway side
The singer doesn't care about where his body is buried after he dies and suggests it can be buried by the highway.
So my old evil spirit
Can get a Greyhound bus and ride
The singer wants his evil spirit to be able to travel freely by taking a Greyhound bus, even after he dies.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind