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.
No One Can Forgive Me but My Baby
John Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cast a long shadow till the day is done
Do ninety miles an hour down the Devil's trail
Done hard time in a hundred jails
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
Preacher don't know, Momma don't know
Daddy don't know, my brother don't know
St. John don't know, St. Peter don't know
No one can forgive me but my baby
I took a hundred dollars from a blind man's hand
I slept with the whores on the burnin' sand
Got twenty-seven children I've never seen
Got blood on my hands that will never come clean
I got long arms, tell big lies
Stole the pennies from my dear mother's eyes
I'm tall in the saddle, about six foot nine
I beat up revenuers all the time
No one can forgive me but my baby
Oh, no one can forgive me but my baby
I got a mean temper, I'm a big liar
Broke all the laws, set the house on fire
When I stand before Jesus and he asks me to kneel
I'll tell him maybe we can make a deal
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
I don't pay no bills, I don't say no prayers
Give back nothin', and I take all dares
Stole a car and I got me a gun
If there ain't no road I'm gonna make me one
Broke my baby's heart, and I whip my dog
I don't say nothin' when I meet my God
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
No one can forgive me but my baby
Forgive me, baby
The lyrics of "No One Can Forgive Me But My Baby" by John Hammond reveal the innermost thoughts of a man who has lived a life full of misdeeds and criminal activities. He boasts about his capabilities to do wrong, declaring himself as someone who "cracks a mean whip" and "carries a big gun." He has done hard time in a hundred jails and has lived his life without remorse for any of his actions. The man believes that no one in this world can forgive him, except his baby. The repetition of this line throughout the song highlights the guilt and the regret that the man is feeling.
The mention of various biblical characters like Jesus, Mary, Preacher, St. Peter, and St. John shows his awareness of the religion and his belief in it. However, he declares that none of them has the power to forgive him except his baby. He claims to have taken a hundred dollars from a blind man's hand, slept with whores on the burning sand, and has twenty-seven children that he has never seen. He also acknowledges having long arms and being a big liar. The lines "I'm tall in the saddle, about six foot nine, I beat up revenuers all the time" further establishes the man's intimidating persona.
The lyrics of this song are a testament to the power of love and forgiveness. The man knows that he has lived his life full of wrongdoings, and he admits that he doesn't pay bills or say prayers, but he still believes that he can be forgiven by his baby. This song highlights the idea that sometimes love is the only way to find redemption and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Crack a mean whip, carry a big gun
I am a tough and dangerous person who is not afraid to use violence
Cast a long shadow till the day is done
I am a powerful figure who leaves a lasting impact wherever I go
Do ninety miles an hour down the Devil's trail
I live recklessly and dangerously, defying all consequences
Done hard time in a hundred jails
I have been in and out of prison numerous times, showing my disregard for the law
No one can forgive me but my baby
Only my partner can accept me for who I am and forgive me for my sins
Now Jesus don't know, Mary don't know
Even religious figures cannot understand or forgive me
Preacher don't know, Momma don't know
Even those closest to me, like my mother and religious leader, cannot comprehend the extent of my actions
Daddy don't know, my brother don't know
My own family cannot forgive or excuse my sins
St. John don't know, St. Peter don't know
Even revered saints cannot forgive me for my transgressions
I took a hundred dollars from a blind man's hand
I have no regard for the vulnerable and will exploit them for my own gain
I slept with the whores on the burnin' sand
I have indulged in immoral activities without any remorse
Got twenty-seven children I've never seen
I have abandoned my own children and shown no responsibility towards them
Got blood on my hands that will never come clean
I have committed unforgivable and violent acts that will forever haunt me
I got long arms, tell big lies
I am deceptive and manipulative, willing to go to great lengths to achieve my goals
Stole the pennies from my dear mother's eyes
I have betrayed even those closest to me, like my own mother, for personal gain
I'm tall in the saddle, about six foot nine
I am confident and dominant in all situations
I beat up revenuers all the time
I have no respect for authority and actively engage in violent acts against them
I got a mean temper, I'm a big liar
I am easily angered and prone to lying to get what I want
Broke all the laws, set the house on fire
I have committed countless crimes and have caused destruction and chaos
When I stand before Jesus and he asks me to kneel
When I face judgment, I will try to strike a deal with Jesus to forgive me for my sins
I'll tell him maybe we can make a deal
I am not truly remorseful and will try to manipulate the situation to my advantage
I don't pay no bills, I don't say no prayers
I have no sense of responsibility or morality, refusing to participate in societal norms
Give back nothin', and I take all dares
I have no respect for others and will take anything I want, even if it means hurting others
Stole a car and I got me a gun
I have no regard for the law and am willing to use violence to get what I want
If there ain't no road I'm gonna make me one
I will not let anything get in my way or limit me, regardless of the consequences
Broke my baby's heart, and I whip my dog
I am capable of hurting those closest to me, with no remorse or empathy
I don't say nothin' when I meet my God
Even in the face of judgment, I remain unapologetic and unwilling to admit my wrongdoings
Forgive me, baby
I beg my partner for forgiveness, recognizing that they are the only one who can accept me for who I am
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrDino1953
Another great Tom Waits song done well by John Hammond.
@oneman1812
I am He!.
@littlerichierockon2663
BO KNO
@littlerichierockon2663
HA DD 2 4GrOve MeZZELF MAN
@littlerichierockon2663
B-2769 & EWE KNO
@oneman1812
GILL REIGEIGNZ