Kweskin released six albums and two greatest hits compilations on Vanguard Records between 1963-1970; Jim Kweskin's America on Reprise Records in 1971; and four albums on Mountain Railroad Records between 1978-87.
Morning Blues
Jim Kweskin Lyrics
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I used to fly high like a turtle dove
Had the blues many a time
Just a girl on a poor boy's mind
I got the morning blues
Oh so bad
Honey come and kiss me
Nickel's worth of grease, Dime's worth of lard
I would buy more but the times are too hard
Ain't no need for me to work so hard
'Cause I can live off the chickens in the neighbors yard
I got the morning blues
Oh so bad
Honey come and kiss me
They're the worst I've ever had
Woke up this morning with a pain in my head
So I crawled right back in bed
Alone in the morning make you feel so bad
lonesome blues make you feel so sad
The lyrics to Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band's song Morning Blues tell a story of a man who has experienced the highs and lows of life. He has been in business, and he has been in love. He used to feel free and happy like a turtle dove, but he has also had his fair share of the blues. Despite this, he cannot help but have a girl on his mind. The man is now experiencing the "morning blues" - a feeling of sadness that hits him as soon as he wakes up in the morning. He longs for his lover's kiss to chase away the pain - a pain that he describes as the worst he has ever had.
The second verse describes the man's financial situation. Times are so hard that he can only afford a nickel's worth of grease and a dime's worth of lard. He cannot work too hard, but he is resourceful. He can survive off the chickens in his neighbor's yard. However, his financial state does not seem to be the cause of his sadness, as the morning blues are unrelated to his economic hardship. The last verse talks about the physical and emotional pain that the man experiences. He wakes up with a headache that prompts him to crawl back into bed. The feeling of being alone in the morning makes him feel sad and blue.
Line by Line Meaning
Been in business and I've been in love
I have had experience with making money and been in romantic relationships before.
I used to fly high like a turtle dove
I used to be happy and carefree in the past.
Had the blues many a time
Experienced sadness frequently in my life.
Just a girl on a poor boy's mind
Being in love with someone who is less fortunate than oneself.
I got the morning blues
Feeling sad and down in the morning for no specific reason.
Oh so bad
Intensifying the feeling of sadness.
Honey come and kiss me
Seeking comfort from a loved one during a difficult time.
They're the worst I've ever had
Feeling worse than ever before in the morning.
Nickel's worth of grease, Dime's worth of lard
Not having enough money to buy basic necessities like cooking oil and lard.
I would buy more but the times are too hard
Wanting to buy more, but being unable to due to economic hardship.
Ain't no need for me to work so hard
Not feeling the need to work hard since one can live off the food they get from their neighbors' chickens.
'Cause I can live off the chickens in the neighbors yard
Since I can't afford to buy my own food, I can survive by taking food from my neighbor's chickens.
Woke up this morning with a pain in my head
Waking up feeling physically unwell and unhappy.
So I crawled right back in bed
Deciding to go back to bed to avoid dealing with the day.
Alone in the morning make you feel so bad
Being alone in the morning can make you feel even more sad and lonely.
lonesome blues make you feel so sad
Feeling overwhelmingly sad because of the sense of loneliness.
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.