I'm Coming Home
Lightnin’ Hopkins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm comin' home baby,
Darlin' I ain't doin' no good out there
I'm comin' home now darling,
I ain't doin' no good out there
I know it don't make you much difference,
But I want you to feel my care

You didn't tell me to leave,

Baby, I just left on my own
You didn't tell me to leave,
Little girl, I just left on my own

That's the reason I want you to make me welcome,
Look out, I'm comin' home

Did you get my letter,
Tell you I'd be home before long?
Did you get my letter,
Tell you I'd be home before long?

Well, it don't make no difference if you didn't get it,
Look out, po' Lightnin' comin' home

Overall Meaning

In Lightnin’ Hopkins's song, “I'm Coming Home,” the singer expresses his intention to return home. He acknowledges that he hasn't been doing any good out there and doesn't believe it matters much to his beloved. Regardless of this, he wants her to feel his care for her. The singer then states that he left on his own accord, and the reason he wants her to welcome him back is that he is finally coming home. He inquiries about her receiving his letter, where he indicates he would come home soon. Even if she never received the letter, he wouldn't let that stop him from going home.

The lyrics suggest that the singer has been away from home for some time, and he's finally decided to come back. The reason why he left is never revealed in the song. However, he feels he has not been doing any good while he's been gone. He expresses that he left on his own accord and that he is coming back because he wants to be back with the one he loves. His inquiry about the letter shows that his desire to come home has been lingering for a while, but he wants to ensure that his beloved is aware of his intentions to return. In the end, regardless if the letter was received or not, he is coming home.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm comin' home baby,
I am returning to you, my dear,

Darlin' I ain't doin' no good out there
I have not been successful away from you, my love,

I'm comin' home now darling,
I am on my way to you, my sweetheart,

I ain't doin' no good out there
My time away from you has not been fruitful,

I know it don't make you much difference,
I understand that my return may not mean much to you,

But I want you to feel my care
But I want you to know that I care deeply for you,

You didn't tell me to leave,
You did not ask me to depart,

Little girl, I just left on my own
I chose to leave on my own, my dear,

That's the reason I want you to make me welcome,
That is why I ask for your warm welcome upon my return,

Look out, I'm comin' home
Be prepared, for I am coming back to you,

Did you get my letter,
Did you receive my message,