In its original incarnation, the song takes the form of an acoustic blues. The opening line, "Alpine Valley/Middle of the Night" refers to the Alpine Valley Music Theater near East Troy, Wisconsin where the helicopter carrying Stevie Ray Vaughan and several others crashed following a concert in 1990. The song references many other deceased blues music guitarists including Jimi Hendrix (the "voodoo chile"), Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones, Freddie King, and Albert King. The song's refrain mourns that "Heaven done called another blues stringer back home".
All-star versions of the song were played at a tribute concert to Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1996 and, in a raucous version, at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2004
Six Strings Down
Jimmie Vaughan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six strings down
On the heaven-bound flight
Got a pick, a strap, guitar on his back
Ain't gonna cut the angels no slack
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Holding out his hand
I've been waitin' on you brother
Welcome to the band
Good blues-stringin'
Heaven-fine singin'
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Been lis'nin' to your playin'
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Albert Collins up there
Muddy an' Lightnin' too
Albert King and Freddy
Playin' the blues
T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim
Little Son Jackson and
Frankie Lee Sims
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
They called
Another blues-stringer back home
Back home
The song "Six Strings Down" is a tribute to blues musicians who have passed away, specifically those who played the guitar. The lyrics describe the scene of a blues musician passing away and going to heaven. The lines "Six strings down" and "got a pick, a strap, guitar on his back" refer to the musician's guitar that he always carried with him. The song describes the musician being welcomed into heaven by other blues legends who have passed away, including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Freddy King, among others.
The song is a celebration of the blues and the musicians who have dedicated their lives to it. It also reflects on the idea of leaving a legacy, as the passing of these musicians leaves an impact on the genre and the music world as a whole. The phrase "Heaven done called another blues stringer back home" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that these musicians have answered the call of the afterlife and are now playing their music in heaven.
Overall, "Six Strings Down" is a moving tribute to the musicians who have shaped the blues genre and left their mark on music history. Through the lyrics, the listener is transported to a heavenly stage, where these musicians are performing together once again.
Line by Line Meaning
In the middle of the night
The tragic death occurred during a dark hour
Six strings down
A guitar legend has passed away
On the heaven-bound flight
Now on a journey to the afterlife
Got a pick, a strap, guitar on his back
He always had his trusty musical tools with him
Ain't gonna cut the angels no slack
Not even celestial beings could keep him from playing his guitar
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Another talented blues guitarist has passed into the afterlife
See the voodoo chile
Holding out his hand
I've been waitin' on you brother
Welcome to the band
A fellow blues legend greets him and welcomes him into the afterlife's band
Good blues-stringin'
Heaven-fine singin'
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
The afterlife now has some amazing blues music and heavenly voices, as well as a religious connection
Been lis'nin' to your playin'
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Even in the afterlife, his talent was recognized and appreciated
Albert Collins up there
Muddy an' Lightnin' too
Albert King and Freddy
Playin' the blues
T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim
Little Son Jackson and
Frankie Lee Sims
Other legendary bluesmen are in the afterlife and have welcomed another member to their musical group
They called
Another blues-stringer back home
Back home
The cycle of life continues and even great musicians will eventually return to their place of origin
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ART NEVILLE, CYRIL GARRETT NEVILLE, ERIC KOLB, STACY KELSEY SMITH, JIMMIE LAWRENCE VAUGHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@temuraphakidze2462
Alpine Valley
In the middle of the night
Six strings down
On the heaven-bound flight
Got a pick, a strap, guitar on his back
Ain't gonna cut the angels no slack
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
See the voodoo chile
Holding out his hand
I've been waitin' on you brother
Welcome to the band
Good blues-stringin'
Heaven-fine singin'
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Been lis'nin' to your playin'
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Albert Collins up there
Muddy an' Lightnin' too
Albert King and Freddy
Playin' the blues
T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim
Little Son Jackson and
Frankie Lee Sims
Heaven done called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
Lord they called
Another blues-stringer back home
@theanthonyv
I love Jimmie Vaughan and everything he represents. People often want to compare him to Stevie and criticize his more minimalistic / restrained style. But the man is his own artist. His playing is so tasteful, and he’s an utter master at his craft. He recognizes that it’s the silence between the notes that makes the music. The universe blessed us with his talent. Cherish him while we still have him - he’s a walking gallery of the blues. God bless you, Jimmie Lee Vaughan, and the Texas blood that runs through your soul.
@TomTom-xp2jb
Awesome comment!!! I agree with everything you said. The silence between notes is what got me. Thx for the post!!! 🎸🌟👏
@paul2602
Well said.
@crazywisdom2
2 great Bluesman. Two great guitarists... with 2 different styles. Respect !
@ClamGaming-th2wt
i really like his finger picking style on his guitar, sounds like a bluesman from the 1920s
@ullr1159
About the best description of JLV I’ve ever read.
@stevenmuir8376
I know he was a great musician, and I know people love his music and think about him that way, but I miss my little brother. - Jimmie Vaughan
@markkennard861
😢 man of few words.
@davidsimpson6404
❤🎶keep on keepin Jimmie
@G.F.Browning
I had the pleasure of bumping into Jimmie on his way into his gig in Beverly last Friday. He was super cool and even though he was probably in a hurry to get backstage and ready for his show he stopped for a minute, said hi shook my hand and took a picture with me. But during the show i knew he was going to play Six Strings Down and when he did everyone else left the stage there was a single spotlight on him and this man just poured his feelings out into that strat, and damnit I've heard this tune so many times before but ill admit i started to tear up hearing it live