Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60's. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960's by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980's.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of "Time Is On My Side," which predated the hit version by the Rolling Stones. Otis Redding's hit "Pain In My Heart" was built on an earlier song, "Ruler of My Heart," recorded by Thomas.
Thomas is still active as a performer, appearing annually at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and various tour dates in the US and Europe. She has reigned as Queen of the Krewe du Vieux for the 1998 New Orleans Mardi Gras season and often headlined at her own club, the Lion's Den, which is now out of business due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Irma Thomas has participated in numerous post-Katrina charity projects including The New Orleans Social Club, and won numerous awards including the Offbeat Magazine Award, Mojo Magazine's Legends award, Big Easy Award, a Family Services Award and many more. In 2009, Scott Billington compiled a Rounder records retrospective "Irma Thomas: A 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Soul Queen of New Orleans: " .
This Bitter Earth
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What fruit it bares,
That no one shares, and if my life
Is like the dust, that hides the glow of a rose
What good am I?
Heaven only knows
This bitter earth, it can be so cold
But while the voice within me cries
I'm sure someone may answer my call
This bitter earth, may not not so bitter after all
This bitter earth, can be so cold
Today your young, too soon, too soon your old
But while the voice within me cries
I'm sure someone will answer my call
And this bitter earth, may not be so bitter after all
The song "This Bitter Earth" by Irma Thomas is a beautiful portrayal of the emotions and struggles that arise from life's bitterness. The first two lines, "This bitter earth, what fruit it bears, that no one shares," expresses the disappointment and sense of loneliness that life can evoke. The bitterness of life can feel profound and painful, and yet it is often an experience that cannot be shared. The line, "And if my life is like the dust, that hides the glow of a rose," is a metaphor for how the good in life can easily become obscured by the inevitable bitterness that we experience.
The next lines, "What good am I? Heaven only knows," express the feelings of helplessness that can come from life's harsh realities. We can feel small and insignificant in the face of difficulties and sadness. The following lines speak to the fleeting nature of youth and how life can change unexpectedly, "Today you're young, too soon, too soon, you're old." The song acknowledges that while life can be bitter, there is always hope that someone will answer our call for help. In the end, the bitterness of life may not be as overwhelming as it once seemed.
Line by Line Meaning
This bitter earth,
This cruel world,
What fruit it bares,
What does it offer us,
That no one shares,
That nobody cares about or understands,
and if my life
And if my existence
Is like the dust, that hides the glow of a rose
Is like something dull that obscures the beauty of something else,
What good am I?
What purpose do I serve?
Heaven only knows
Nobody knows for sure
This bitter earth, it can be so cold
Life can be harsh and unkind
Today your young, too soon your old
Youthful vitality fades quickly
But while the voice within me cries
Although I feel hopeless
I'm sure someone may answer my call
I believe someone will assist me
And this bitter earth, may not not so bitter after all
Perhaps this world isn't as cruel as I initially believed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVIE SALAS, STEPHEN L. ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Mueller
on These Honey Dos
Irma Thomas - These Honey Dos lyrics
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sittin' there
Two good legs, two good arms
Your butt stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, that's where yer at
C1/
I tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
V2/
Honey, when I'm away
You always got to know
Who I see, what I do
And everywhere I go
And it's, while yer out, here's the list
Drop off that, pick up this
Yer still in that chair, that's where you is
C2/
Please don't make me try
To get away from you
I'm right here for ya, baby
But ya gotta give me somethin' too
Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
B/
I'd do most everything
That I ever could do
All the love I got
I only give ta you
Honey, if you knew
A lover from a crutch
You'd know that everything yer doin'
Don't amount ta much
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sitting there
With two good legs, and two good arms
And your butt still stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, just gettin' fat
C1/
Tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Are gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
{Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?} ( 2x )
Spoken:
Honey do this, honey do that
Reach for this, reach for that
Now where is please?
Where is thank you?
Yer making a very large assumption
And you know what they say about the word assumption
Now you know you king of this castle
(As long as I'm in it)
But you gotta put a little please in there sometimes
And every now 'n' then think of some Honey Don'ts to say
Y'know? You got me
I wouldn't stay here, if I didn't love ya
But every now and then, put in some please and thank yous
Do ya Honey Do?
Turn 'em into Honey Don'ts
Moses Davis
on Hurt's All Gone
my goodness ump I cant get enough