Although critically acclaimed, John Hammond has had only moderate commercial success. Nonetheless, he enjoys a strong fan base and has earned respect from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Roosevelt Sykes, Duane Allman, Robbie Robertson, and Charlie Musselwhite, all of whom have contributed their musical talents to Hammond's records. In addition, he is the only person who ever had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band at the same time, even if it was only for five days in the 1960s when Hammond played the Gaslight Café in New York. To his regret, they never recorded together.
John Hammond has had a longstanding friendship with songwriter Tom Waits, and has performed Waits' songs on occasion. In 2001, he released Wicked Grin, an album entirely of Tom Waits compositions. Waits himself provided guitar work and backing vocals as well as producing the project.
2. John Hammond was a old time banjo player from the 1920's. He recorded the bluegrass classic 'Little Birdie' in 1925.
I'm Movin' On
John Hammond Lyrics
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Means your true lovin' daddy ain't coming back
I'm movin' on I'll soon be gone
You were flying too high for my little old sky so I'm movin' on
That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
Said hello to the Southland we're coming to you
We're movin' on oh hear my song
[ banjo ]
Mister fireman won't you please listen to me
I've got a pretty woman in Tennessee
Keep movin' me on keep rollin' on
So shovel the coal let the black smoke roll keep rollin' me on
[ fiddle ]
I warned you baby from time to time
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
I'm movin' on I'm rollin' on
You broken your vow and it's all over now so I'm movin' on
But some day baby when you've had your play
You're gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say
Keep movin' on stayed away too long
I'm through with you too bad you're blue so keep movin' on
In John Hammond's song “I'm Movin' On,” the singer has decided to leave his lover behind and hit the road alone. He compares his departure to a big eight-wheeler train that is rolling away and taking his lover's love with it. The train whistle that blows sounds like it is calling out to the Southland, indicating that he is moving on to a new chapter in life. He implores the fireman on the train to keep the train moving, as he wants to leave his past behind and start anew. The singer's decision to leave is rooted in his lover's false promises and unfaithfulness, which eventually led to the end of their relationship. He warns his lover that she will regret her actions and realize that she has lost something valuable, but by then it will be too late, and he will have already moved on.
Line by Line Meaning
That big eight wheeler rolling down the track
The train leaving signifies that your father figure will not return.
Means your true lovin' daddy ain't coming back
The big train leaving represents the abandonment of someone who previously held a fatherly role.
I'm movin' on I'll soon be gone
The singer has had enough of a situation and has decided to take action by leaving.
You were flying too high for my little old sky so I'm movin' on
The artist feels that the other person's aspirations and ambitions are too different from their own and it is best to part ways.
That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
The loud train whistle symbolizes the beginning of a journey and an impending departure.
Said hello to the Southland we're coming to you
The singer is announcing their arrival in the Southland via the train.
We're movin' on oh hear my song
The singer is voicing their determination to move forward and leave things behind.
You had the laugh on me so I've set you free and I'm movin' on
The other person may have had the upper hand in the past, but the artist is now freeing themselves from that dynamic and moving on.
Mister fireman won't you please listen to me
The artist is trying to grab someone's attention in order to achieve their goal.
I've got a pretty woman in Tennessee
The artist is hinting that they have a romantic interest waiting for them in Tennessee.
Keep movin' me on keep rollin' on
The singer is urging the train to keep moving toward its destination.
So shovel the coal let the black smoke roll keep rollin' me on
The artist is requesting that the train continue at full steam ahead in order to reach the next destination.
I warned you baby from time to time
The singer gave fair warning to the other person throughout their relationship.
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
The other person was not paying attention to the singer's warnings.
I'm movin' on I'm rollin' on
The singer is continuing on without the other person.
You broken your vow and it's all over now so I'm movin' on
The other person has broken a promise and the relationship is irreparably damaged as a result.
But some day baby when you've had your play
The artist believes that the other person will eventually tire of their current situation.
You're gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say
The other person may come back looking for support from the singer, but will not receive it.
Keep movin' on stayed away too long
The singer has moved on and will not provide any support or comfort to the other person.
I'm through with you too bad you're blue so keep movin' on
The artist is done with the relationship and will not be looking back, even though the other person may be upset about it.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK SNOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind