Walking Blues
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
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Know by that I got these old walkin' blues, well
Woke this mornin' feelin' round for my shoes
But you know by that, I got these old walkin' blues
Lord I feel like blowin' my old lonesome horn
Got up this mornin', my little Bernice was gone, Lord
I feel like blowin' my lonesome horn
Well I got up this mornin', whoa all I had was gone
I feel mistreated, and I don't mind dyin'
Leavin' this mornin', if I have to ride the blind
Babe, I've been mistreated, baby and I don't mind dyin'
Well, some people tell me that the worried blues ain't bad
Worst old feelin' I most ever had
Some people tell me that these old worried old blues ain't bad
It's the worst old feelin', I most ever had
She's got a elgin movement from her head down to her toes
Break in on a dollar most anywhere she goes
Ooh, from her head down to her toes
Lord, she break in on a dollar, most anywhere she goes
The song "Walking Blues" by Joe Bonamassa is a cover of a blues classic originally written by Son House. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost and alone, with nowhere to go and nothing left to lose. The opening lines, "I woke up this mornin', feelin' round for my shoes, Know by that I got these old walkin' blues," highlight the desperation and uncertainty of the singer's situation. The mention of the "old walkin' blues" suggests that this is a feeling he has experienced before and has become all too familiar with.
The next few lines suggest that the singer's partner, Bernice, has left him, as he wakes up to find her gone. He feels like blowing his "old lonesome horn," and is contemplating leaving town. The repetition of the line "Leavin' this mornin', if I have to ride the blind" further emphasizes the urgency of the situation, with the singer willing to take drastic measures to escape his troubles.
The final verse shifts slightly in tone and describes a woman with an "Elgin movement" from "her head down to her toes." She is able to "break in on a dollar most anywhere she goes," suggesting that she is a skilled dancer or performer. It's unclear who this woman is or what her significance is to the singer, but her presence provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak song.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this mornin', feelin' round for my shoes
I woke up this morning and groped around for my shoes in the dark.
Know by that I got these old walkin' blues, well
I realized that my wandering around and searching for my shoes is a symptom of my despondency and blues.
Woke this mornin' feelin' round for my shoes
I woke up again and felt around for my shoes while feeling dejected and weary.
But you know by that, I got these old walkin' blues
People know that these walking blues, that make me feel like aimlessly wandering around, are affecting me.
Lord I feel like blowin' my old lonesome horn
I feel like expressing my loneliness and despair through music, like playing the blues on my horn.
Got up this mornin', my little Bernice was gone, Lord
I woke up this morning and discovered that my dear Bernice, who may be a pet or loved one, has departed.
I feel like blowin' my lonesome horn
I'm compelled to play the blues and express my sadness through my music.
Well I got up this mornin', whoa all I had was gone
I woke up today and everything that I had, tangible or intangible, was missing, and it is making me even more melancholic.
Well, leave this mornin' if I have to, ride the blinds
I'm considering leaving home, and if necessary, hobnobbing on trains or traveling as a vagrant.
I feel mistreated, and I don't mind dyin'
I feel mistreated and wronged, and death is not an issue for me, as I have become indifferent to life.
Leavin' this mornin', if I have to ride the blind
I'm getting out of this place today, and I don't mind traveling incognito or as an outcast.
Babe, I've been mistreated, baby and I don't mind dyin'
My lover has mistreated me, and I have become impervious to pain and death.
Some people tell me that the worried blues ain't bad
Some folks try to minimize the impact of these anxious and painful blues on my life.
Worst old feelin' I most ever had
But for me, this is the most terrible feeling I've ever experienced, regardless of what others might say.
She's got a elgin movement from her head down to her toes
She has an effortless and charismatic body movement that extends from her head to her feet.
Break in on a dollar most anywhere she goes
She can mesmerize anyone with her captivating movement and beauty, as she attracts attention wherever she goes.
Contributed by Aiden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.