The musicologist Robert "Mack" McCormick opined that Hopkins is "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act".
Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, and as a child was immersed in the sounds of the blues. He developed a deep appreciation for this music at the age of 8, when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas. That day, Hopkins felt the blues was "in him".[citation needed] He went on to learn from his older (distant) cousin, the country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander. (Hopkins had another cousin, the Texas electric blues guitarist Frankie Lee Sims, with whom he later recorded.) Hopkins began accompanying Jefferson on guitar at informal church gatherings. Jefferson reputedly never let anyone play with him except young Hopkins, and Hopkins learned much from Jefferson at these gatherings.
Hopkins's style was born from spending many hours playing informally without a backing band. His distinctive fingerstyle technique often included playing, in effect, bass, rhythm, lead, and percussion at the same time. He played both "alternating" and "monotonic" bass styles incorporating imaginative, often chromatic turnarounds and single-note lead lines. Tapping or slapping the body of his guitar added rhythmic accompaniment.
Much of Hopkins's music follows the standard 12-bar blues template, but his phrasing was free and loose. Many of his songs were in the talking blues style, but he was a powerful and confident singer.[citation needed] Lyrically, his songs expressed the problems of life in the segregated South, bad luck in love and other subjects common in the blues idiom. He dealt with these subjects with humor and good nature. Many of his songs are filled with double entendres, and he was known for his humorous introductions to songs.
Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston on January 30, 1982, at the age of 69. His obituary in the New York Times described him as "one of the great country blues singers and perhaps the greatest single influence on rock guitar players.".
Baby Child
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, you know, it ain't but one thing I hate, some women have made mama's baby wild
Yes, if I'd have listened, yes, to what my mama said
If I'd have listened, yes, to what my mama said
Yes, you know, I wouldn't be here this evening, I'm talking about, with a hung-down head
Yes, you know, I'm going back home to mama, fall down on my mama's knee
I'm going back home to mama, fall down on my mama's knee
Yes, you know, I'm gonna ask my mama, "Please, ma'am, pray for me"
The lyrics to Lightnin' Hopkins's song "Baby Child" are a confessional account of a man who feels lost and in need of guidance. He begins by stating that he was born on the levee and he is his mama's baby child. This line evokes a sense of vulnerability and dependence, as if he never fully grew up or became self-reliant. The following line suggests that his weakness for women has caused him trouble in the past. Though he hates this flaw within himself, it seems out of his control.
The next lines suggest regret and a desire for redemption. He wishes that he had listened to his mama's advice and perhaps he wouldn't be in the predicament he is in now. The line "with a hung-down head" shows that he feels ashamed of himself and his actions. He has come to a point of realization that he needs to make a change. The final lines reveal his plan to return home to his mama and ask her to pray for him. This suggests that he still seeks her spiritual guidance and support.
Overall, the song speaks to the struggles of a man who has lost his way and knows that he needs to make amends. He recognizes the importance of his mother's guidance and seems to believe in the power of prayer to help him to find his way back.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born'd on the levee, I'm my mama's baby child
I was born on the riverbank, and I'm the youngest child of my mother
Yes, you know, it ain't but one thing I hate, some women have made mama's baby wild
There's only one thing that bothers me, and that's when some women try to turn me away from my roots
Yes, if I'd have listened, yes, to what my mama said
If only I had listened to my mother's guidance
Yes, you know, I wouldn't be here this evening, I'm talking about, with a hung-down head
If I had taken my mother's advice, I wouldn't be in this sad state of mind
Yes, you know, I'm going back home to mama, fall down on my mama's knee
I'm returning to my mother's home, ready to humble myself before her
I'm going back home to mama, fall down on my mama's knee
I will ask my mother to pray for me and help me get back on track
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAM HOPKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Udo Matthias drums
still love it!!
Veronica Estrada
this makes me want a harmonica <3
The lulz boat
Did you get one ? You would be really good by now :)
Jan Wolf
The Name of the Bluesman who sings and plays the harmonica is Mr. Billy Bizor, one of Sam's cousins and one of the best Bluesharp players of all Times....
DeepGospel
@scottwasson It's Billy Bizor singing and playing harmonica. You can also see him in the film "The Blues According To Lightnin' Hopkins".
Lawrence
Can you do a video of the flip side? I’m wondering how they cut up “Mr Charlie” in order to fit it on one side. Did they just cut the spoken-word half of the song out?
Scott
This song is actually called "Baby Child". Lightnin' doesn't song on this one, obviously. He does sing on "Mr. Charlie" and both songs are on the Free Form Patterns. Great song...but I'd prefer if Lightnin sang this one. Not sure who the harp player is that would most likely be singing.