T.B. Blues
Jimmie Rodgers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My good gal's trying to make a fool out of me
Lord my gal's trying to make a fool out of me
Trying to make me believe I
Ain't got that old TB i've got the TB blues

When it rained down sorrow it
Rained all over me
When it rained down sorrow it
Rained all over me
Cause my body rattles like a
Train on that old SP i've got the TB blues

I've got that old TB I can't eat a bite
Got that old TB I can't eat a bite
Got me worried so I can't even sleep at night
I've got the TB blues

I've been fightin' like a lion looks
Like I'm going to lose
I've been fightin' like a lion looks
Like I'm going to lose
Cause there ain't nobody ever
Whipped the TB blues i've got the TB blues

Gee but that graveyard is a lonesome place
Lord but that graveyard is a lonesome place
They put you on your back throw

That mud down in your face
I've got the TB blues

Overall Meaning

The Jimmie Rodgers song "T.B. Blues" is a poignant expression of the feelings of someone suffering from tuberculosis. TB was a major public-health issue in the early 20th century and was a frequent subject for country and blues songs. The lyrics describe the singer's sense of isolation and fear as they struggle with the disease. The singer's gal is trying to convince him that he doesn't have TB, but he knows he does, and it's causing him to feel despair. He complains he can't eat and can't sleep, and that his body is rattling like a train.


The chorus is repeated throughout the song, "I've got the T.B. blues." The focus on the body is a recurring theme. The singer paints a gloomy picture of the end of life in the final line of the song when they speak of the lonesome place of the graveyard where one is laid on their back and dirt is thrown on their face. The song overall deals with the physical and mental suffering that comes with deadly diseases and the sense of isolation and hopelessness that it brings.


Line by Line Meaning

My good gal's trying
My girlfriend is attempting


To make a fool out of me
To deceive me and take advantage of me


Trying to make me believe
Attempting to convince me of something that is not true


I ain't got that old T.B.
I am not afflicted with the old T.B.


I've got the T.B. blues
I am feeling down and depressed due to being afflicted with T.B.


When it rained down sorrow
During a time of extreme hardship


It rained all over me
The hardship affected me greatly


'Cause my body rattles
My body shakes violently


Like a train on that old S.P.
Similar to a train on the Southern Pacific railway


I've got that old T.B.
I have been diagnosed with the old T.B.


I can't eat a bite
I have no appetite


Got me worried soul
I am deeply concerned


I can't even sleep at night
I am unable to sleep through the night


I've been fightin' like a lion
I have been fighting with great effort


Looks like I'm going to lose
I appear to be losing the fight against T.B.


'Cause there ain't nobody
Because there is no one


Ever whipped the T.B. blues
Who has ever defeated the feeling of hopelessness caused by T.B.


Gee but the graveyard
The graveyard is very lonely


Is a lonesome place
It is a desolate location


They put you on your back
After death, one is placed on their back


Throw that mud down in your face
The dry dirt is thrown into the grave, hitting your face


I've got the T.B. blues
Once again expressing deep sadness and despair due to being afflicted with T.B.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@CalderDaddy

Graydon really does have the most extensive knowledge of songs that no one has any business knowing off the top of their head.

@jamestown8398

“The graveyard is a lonesome place.” Damn.

@8626John

They throw that mud down in your face.

@RonPrice-fl6ur

T.B. was no joke! My grandfather was born in 1909. He was raised by his mother's parents. (Grandparents). And 3 uncle's in a little house. T.B. ended up wiping out his whole damn family! In the 20's and early 30's. Later when he was old and sick he was having some tests done and by the pictures of his lungs the doctor said when did you have taburculoses!? He didn't know he had it. But apparently he was the only one young and strong enough to fight it off in the house. He was a very tough man for sure! Still push mowed till he was 90. Then he started limping some. Finally a year later he goes to the doctor. Thinking his hip was bad. Turned out he had bone cancer. And it spread all over his body. Even his skull! And the whole time he didn't even know he was sick! How can a 90 year old be that sick and not know? He was pure iron grit I'm tellin ya.

@LutherClaytonKotlinsky

Nothing but respect to him! I love that old generation. They had true heart and love for their kids and grandkids. I hope his final days were pleasant and he knew he was loved.

@18winsagin

Grandad lost 6 brothers to it in the late 1890' s early 1900' s

@Bentley99101

My father had this album when I was a small boy. He would play it often in the evenings after dinner. I got to know all the words.I’m 63 now and accidentally ran across this site. I’ve played a few songs and surprised I still know most of the lyrics. Also brought a tear to my eyes thinking of my dad…

@w.rustylane5650

One of my favorite Jimmie Rodgers' songs. I'm surprised he cut this song knowing that he was surely gonna die of the TB. Fighting like a lion, he knew he was gonna lose. RIP my brother.

@muffs55mercury61

A very courageous guy for sure. He cut his last songs while bedridden.

@mt3311

This and Whippin that ole TB, have some good lines. Some of his best music.

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