Natchez Burning
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Did you ever hear about the burning,
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
Did you ever hear about the burning,
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
Those buildings got to burning, there's my baby layin'on the ground
Charlotte Jones was there, Luiza was there,
Rosie Mae was there, Louise was there
Did you ever hear about the burning,
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town




I stood back, was lookin', and the old building come tumble down

Overall Meaning

The Natchez Burning is a blues song that highlights a heartbreaking event that happened in Natchez, Mississippi. The lyrics bring to light an incident in which a fire broke out in the town and several buildings were engulfed in flames, leading to the death of the singer's loved one. The song opens with the lyrics "Did you ever hear about the burning, that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town?" This line sets the tone for the entire song, as the events of the burning are central to its theme. The mention of the singer's baby being found dead amidst the rubble of the burnt buildings heightens the emotional intensity of the song.


The lyrics also mention several names - Charlotte Jones, Luiza, Rosie Mae, and Louise - which seems to indicate that they were also present during the burning. The singer observes the tragic event and the devastation caused by the fire, "I stood back, was lookin', and the old building come tumble down." These words, expressed through pain and frustration, are emblematic of the helplessness and sorrow that the singer feels.


Line by Line Meaning

Did you ever hear about the burning,
Have you ever heard of the tragic fire that occurred?


that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
in the southern town of Natchez, Mississippi?


Those buildings got to burning, there's my baby layin'on the ground
The buildings caught fire, and unfortunately, my loved one was found dead among the rubble.


Charlotte Jones was there, Luiza was there,
Two people, Charlotte Jones and Luiza, were present at the time of the fire.


Rosie Mae was there, Louise was there
Additionally, two other individuals, Rosie Mae and Louise, were also present.


Did you ever hear about the burning,
Once again, have you heard of this tragic event?


that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
Just to reiterate, this fire occurred in Natchez, Mississippi.


I stood back, was lookin', and the old building come tumble down
I watched from a distance as the burning building ultimately collapsed.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WILLIE DIXON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Danny Brackett

Howlin Wolf is a legend RIP my brotha!! 🙏🏿

purkasz

I moved to Natchez in Summer of 1964 and got me a job on the radio on WNAT just to get closer to this tune. Now here it comes again. The big circle.

Natalie Kimbro

I was born in Natchez, as was my father and my stepfather. Do you know the Kimbros? My dad was Ray Kimbro and my uncle is Rosco on the Radio, a dj on a local radio station. Love my Natchez Roots. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Love going back to Natchez and performing with my Natchez people!

Raarotongaa Ruffin

HOWLIN' WOLF, WONDERFUL VOICE !!!!!!! JUST GREAT !!!!!!!

Larry DuVall

this is taj mahal with canned heat

Larry DuVall

sorry i was wrong i was listening to another song this is the wolf, chester arthur burnett

Raarotongaa Ruffin

Larry DuVall YES, THIS IS THE WOLF....SALUT.

Eugene Gubbard

One of his best imo

Jerome Sears

I love this song. But I hate what happened.

A.T. Oliver

Wow...!!!

More Comments

More Versions