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.".
Black Gal
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say,"You're one the black cat"
Some day you'll find your tree
Then I'll hide my shoe somewhere near your sherry tree
Well, I take you down in town, I paid your doctor bill
When I'm in some trouble, you're tryin' to get me killed
You see, someday you'll find your tree
Then I'll hide my shoe somewhere near your sherry tree
I left there this mornin', you tried to mess up in my bed
You're sayin' you had one black rat, someday you'll find your tree
Then I'll hide my shoe somewhere near your sherry tree
Well, I woke up this mornin', the same thing on my mind
I'm thinkin' 'bout you, baby, you're walkin' down the line
You're saying you're the one black cat, someday you'll find your tree
Then I'll hide my shoe somewhere near your sherry tree
The lyrics to Lightnin' Hopkins's song "Black Gal" are open to interpretation, but they seem to be about a man who is warning a woman that she will someday face consequences for her actions. He refers to her as a "black cat" and says that one day she will find her "tree" – possibly a metaphor for facing judgment for her misdeeds. He suggests that when that day comes, he will hide his shoe somewhere near her "sherry tree" as a symbolic victory.
The singer describes various instances where he has helped the woman, such as paying her doctor bill and letting her stay in his home, but she has not shown him appreciation in return. Instead, she has tried to harm him or mess with his belongings. Despite this mistreatment, the singer can't stop thinking about her and seems to be resigned to the idea that she will never be grateful or treat him well.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of frustration and powerlessness in the face of someone who is determined to cause trouble. The metaphor of the "black cat" and the repeated phrase "someday you'll find your tree" suggest a belief in karma or retribution for one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you're one black cat, one day you'll find your tree
They say you have bad luck and are headed for trouble. Eventually, that trouble will catch up with you.
Well, I take you down in town, I paid your doctor bill
I took care of you and supported you when you needed help.
When I'm in some trouble, you're tryin' to get me killed
You don't have my back when I need it. In fact, you may be actively trying to harm me.
Well, I take you in my home, you ate up all my bread
I welcomed you into my home and shared what I had, but you took advantage of my hospitality and overindulged.
I left there this mornin', you tried to mess up in my bed
When I left this morning, you messed with my things and violated my trust.
Well, I woke up this mornin', the same thing on my mind
I can't stop thinking about you and the ways in which you've wronged me.
You're saying you're the one black cat, someday you'll find your tree
You're boasting about being tough and invincible, but eventually, you'll face the consequences of your actions.
Then I'll hide my shoe somewhere near your sherry tree
When you do face those consequences, I'll be there to laugh at your misfortune.
Writer(s): Sam Lightnin Hopkins
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.