Emerging from the Kweskin band with his then wife, Maria Muldaur, he established an impressive reputation in the Boston, Massachusetts area in the 1960s and 1970s, followed by a move to the burgeoning folk, blues and folk-rock explosion in Woodstock, New York. He separated from his wife in 1972. He recorded with such as Bonnie Raitt, Eric Von Schmidt, and Jerry Garcia before stopping to tour or record in the mid 1980s. During this period, he composed scores for film and television, winning an Emmy Award, and produced albums for lesser known musicians such as Lenny Pickett and the Borneo Horns and the Richard Greene String Quartet, emerging after eleven years in 1999 with the critically acclaimed album, The Secret Handshake.
Muldaur continues to record and tour the world. His sister is the actress Diana Muldaur (L.A. Law, McCloud and Star Trek: The Next Generation).
His daughters, Jenni Muldaur and Clare Muldaur are also singer-songwriters.
Walking to New Orleans
Geoff Muldaur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm gonna need two pair of shoes
When I git tho' walkin' me blue
When I get back to New Orleans
I've got my suitcase in my hand
Now ain't that a shame
I'm leavin' here today
Yes, I'm walkin to New Orleans
You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I'll see you by and by
'Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I've got no time for talkin'
I've go to keep a walkin'
New Orleans is my home
That's the reason that I'm goin'
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
In Geoff Muldaur's song "Walking to New Orleans," the singer is leaving his current location and walking to New Orleans. He says that he's going to need two pairs of shoes because he'll be walking so much. He has his suitcase in his hand and is ready to leave. He mentions that he used to have a honey, but she spent all his money, so he had to leave her. He has no time for talking and needs to keep walking because New Orleans is his home, and he's going back to stay there for good.
The song depicts a sense of determination and a longing for a familiar place to call home. The singer's decision to walk indicates that he wants to take control of his journey and do it his way. Walking is a slow method of transportation, but it's also a peaceful and contemplative way of traveling. By walking, he has time to think about his decision to return home and what it means to him.
One can interpret the song as a metaphor for a person's journey in life. Just as the singer walks to New Orleans, we all walk on our own path, sometimes having to leave things behind and move toward something better. In the end, we all hope to find our way back home, where we belong.
Line by Line Meaning
This time I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I have decided to walk to New Orleans instead of taking any mode of transportation.
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am emphasizing that I am walking to New Orleans and not taking any other mode of transportation.
I'm gonna need two pair of shoes
I anticipate that the journey will be long and I will need two pairs of shoes to complete that journey.
When I git tho' walkin' me blue
I will be exhausted from all the walking by the time I reach my destination.
When I get back to New Orleans
I previously lived in New Orleans and I am returning to my hometown.
I've got my suitcase in my hand
I am carrying my suitcase with me as I embark on this journey.
Now ain't that a shame
I am expressing disappointment or sadness about something.
I'm leavin' here today
I am departing from my current location today.
Yes, I'm goin' back home to stay
I am returning to my hometown in New Orleans to live there permanently.
You used to be my honey
Addressing someone who was once in a romantic relationship with me.
Till you spent all my money
But that person squandered all my money.
No use for you to cry
It's pointless for that person to shed tears now.
I'll see you by and by
I'll see that person again in the future, but not immediately.
'Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am emphasizing the point that I am indeed walking to New Orleans to ensure there is no confusion.
I've got no time for talkin'
I do not have time to engage in discussions or conversations.
I've go to keep a walkin'
My focus is on walking and continuing to move forward.
New Orleans is my home
I consider New Orleans to be my true home and where I belong.
That's the reason that I'm goin'
This is the reason why I am walking to New Orleans.
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I am reiterating that I am walking to New Orleans.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, ROBERT CHARLES GUIDRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MeanGuitarist
YEAH! When he sings "When My Tears Came Rolling Down " the second time... It´s the esscence of the bluuuees! What a soulful singer!
@JellyrollHorton
"Geoff Muldaur is two of the best blues musicians alive today." --Bob Dylan
@timjmoran
WOW.. what a Voice!! MORE please.. and maybe this time w/ the vid & audio in sync??If you can.. seek out the Geoff Muldaur/Amos GArrett duet record.. might be out of print.. it's SO great.
@EricFlatpick
Too bad about the non-sync here, but man, this is one tasty blues. The guitar and singing are just great.
@guit100
Wew Boy , wish You would put more of his , one ABSOLUTLY SUPERB MUSICIAN & SINGER ! wish he would recieve the recognition he deserves But it seems it is a media world today . If Jeoff will ever read ; I think You are one hell of a Master !!! and mentor.
@wholeNother1017
@JellyrollHorton 'There are only three white blues singers, and Geoff Muldaur is at least two of them.'" Richard Thompson