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Apple Tree Swing Track #12 2:22
Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee)
(John Lee Williamson)
Sonny Boy Williamson - vocals & harmonica
With Blind John Davis - piano, Big Bill Broonzy - guitar
Willie Dixon sbass and Charles Saunders - drums
March 28, 1947
Album: Complete Recorded Works Vol 5
October 19, 1945 - November 12, 1947
Document Records DOCD 5059


Now. look-a-there, the honey
A-ooo-wee
Now, look-a-there, the honey
Mercy me
Now, look-a-there, the honey
A-ooo-wee
Baby, way there over there by the apple tree

Now, look-a-there
She kind-a, big n' fat
Now, look-a-there
A-but it ain't like that
Now, look-a-there, the honey
The ooo-wee
Baby, way over there by the apple tree

I love, yo' lovely little apple
I think yo' apple is awful fine
So crazy about yo' mellow little apples

Because a-ev'ry night an days
A-roll across my mind

Now, look-a-there, the honey
Oh, ooo-wee
Now, look-a-here, a-baby
Mercy, me
Now look-a-there, a-honey
A-ooo-wee
Baby, way over there by the apple tree

(harmonica & instrumental)

Now, look-a-there
She's a solid sender, Jack!
Now, look-a-there
I wonder when she comin' back?
Now, look-a-there, the honey
A-ooo-wee
Baby, way over there by the apple tree

Now, look-a-there
She got long, black. curly, hair
Now, look-a-there
Her brother don't 'llow me there
Now, look-a-there, a-honey
A-ooo-wee
Baby, way over there by the apple tree

I love, love yo' mellow little apple
I think yo' apple's awful fine
I'm so crazy about yo' lovely little apples
Because
A-ev'ry night an day they run across my mind

A-looky there, oh honey
A-hoo-wee
Now, look-a-there
A-honey, mercy me
Now, look-a-there
The honey, a-ooo-wee
A-way over there by the apple tree.





~

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Apple Tree Swing" by Sonny Boy Williamson I, are a playful tribute to a beautiful young woman. The song starts with the singer expressing his admiration for the woman "over there by the apple tree." He describes her as "kind-a big n' fat," but asserts that "it ain't like that," suggesting that despite her size, he finds her attractive. The chorus "Now, look-a-there, the honey / A-ooo-wee / Baby, way over there by the apple tree" emphasizes the singer's joy and delight in the woman's presence.


The second verse sees the singer singing praises to the woman's "lovely little apple," which could be a double entendre for her curvaceous figure. He then goes on to describe his love for her "mellow little apples" which he thinks about "ev'ry night an' day." The final verse sees the singer expressing his desire to be with the woman but acknowledges her brother's disapproval of him. Despite this, the singer continues to be enamored with the woman and enjoys watching her "way over there by the apple tree."


One interesting fact about the song is that it features Sonny Boy Williamson I's distinctive style of harmonica playing which became very influential in the development of Chicago blues. Additionally, "Apple Tree Swing" was recorded on March 28, 1947, during one of the many sessions that Williamson did for the Chicago-based label Bluebird Records. The song features a stellar ensemble of musicians, including Blind John Davis on piano, Big Bill Broonzy on guitar, Willie Dixon on bass, and Charles Saunders on drums. The song is also included as track 12 on Sonny Boy Williamson I's album "Complete Recorded Works Vol 5" which was released in 1993.


Line by Line Meaning

Now. look-a-there, the honey
The singer spots an attractive woman nearby.


A-ooo-wee
An exclamation to show excitement or surprise.


Now, look-a-there, the honey
The singer continues to admire the woman from afar.


Mercy me
An exclamation to show admiration or awe.


Now, look-a-there, the honey
The artist's focus remains on the woman.


A-ooo-wee
A vocalization of excitement or joy.


Baby, way there over there by the apple tree
The woman is standing near an apple tree.


Now, look-a-there
The artist continues to observe the woman and comment on her appearance.


She kind-a, big n' fat
The woman is full-figured.


Now, look-a-there
The artist reassesses his initial reaction to the woman's appearance.


A-but it ain't like that
The singer clarifies that his assessment of her is not negative.


Now, look-a-there, the honey
The artist is still focused on the woman.


The ooo-wee
An expression of approval or excitement.


Baby, way over there by the apple tree
The woman is still standing near the apple tree.


I love, yo' lovely little apple
The singer begins to sing about his appreciation of the woman.


I think yo' apple is awful fine
The artist admires the woman's body.


So crazy about yo' mellow little apples
The artist loves everything about the woman's body.


Because a-ev'ry night an days
The singer's thoughts about the woman consume him day and night.


A-roll across my mind
The image of the woman is constantly on the singer's mind.


Oh, ooo-wee
An exclamation of excitement or enjoyment.


Now, look-a-here, a-baby
The artist shifts his attention to addressing the woman directly.


Now look-a-there, a-honey
The artist continues to address the woman affectionately.


Now, look-a-there, the honey
The singer is still focused solely on the woman.


She's a solid sender, Jack!
The artist admires the woman's confidence and strength.


I wonder when she comin' back?
The singer expresses a desire to see the woman again soon.


She got long, black. curly, hair
The singer continues to describe the woman's physical attributes.


Her brother don't 'llow me there
The singer has some sort of conflict with the woman's family.


I'm so crazy about yo' lovely little apples
The artist repeats his love for the woman's body.


A-way over there by the apple tree.
The woman is still standing near the apple tree.




Lyrics © ACORN PUBLISHING
Written by: J WILLIAMSON

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