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.".
Found My Baby Crying
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I come home this mornin', yes, I found my baby crying
I said, "The Lord have mercy. What is wrong with that little babe of mine?"
You know it hurt me so bad, see them tears roll down my baby's cheek
Yeah, you know it hurt me so bad, see them tears rollin' down my baby's cheek
Whoa, you know I didn't have no money, poor Lightnin' didn't have a bite to eat
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, baby, you know things is bound to change
Whoa, if I don't bring the bacon in the Winter, rest for sure, poor Lightnin' bring it in the Spring
(One more time. Oh yeah!)
The lyrics to Lightnin' Hopkins's song "Found My Baby Crying" depict the singer returning home to find his lover in tears. The opening verse reveals the singer's concern for his baby's well-being, and he questions what could be causing her to cry. The pain of seeing his lover cry is evident in the second verse, where he describes how her tears hurt him deeply. The third verse reveals that the singer is struggling financially, and he reassures his baby that things will change. He promises to provide for her in the future, even if he can't do so immediately.
The song portrays themes of love, heartbreak, and financial struggles. The opening verse sets the tone for the entire song, as the singer's main concern is his baby's emotions. He cares for her deeply and feels a sense of responsibility to alleviate her distress. The pain he endures seeing her tears highlights the gravity of his love. The third verse evokes empathy for Lightnin' Hopkins as he admits he has no money and can't provide for his lover. However, the promise to bring home the bacon in the spring shows his determination and commitment to providing for his baby.
Overall, "Found My Baby Crying" is a poignant song that conveys the depth of the singer's love and concern for his lover. It addresses universal themes of heartbreak and financial struggles while offering a message of hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I come home this mornin', yes, I found my baby crying
Upon returning home this morning, Lightnin' Hopkins discovered his partner crying.
I said, 'The Lord have mercy. What is wrong with that little babe of mine?'
He asked in despair, wondering what was upsetting his loved one so much.
You know it hurt me so bad, see them tears roll down my baby's cheek
Seeing the tears of his partner caused significant distress and sadness.
Yeah, you know it hurt me so bad, see them tears rollin' down my baby's cheek
He reiterates that witnessing his partner cry caused him great pain.
Whoa, you know I didn't have no money, poor Lightnin' didn't have a bite to eat
Lightnin' reveals his financial struggles, admitting he had no money nor enough to eat.
Don't, don't cry, baby, you know things is bound to change
He encourages his partner not to cry, reassuring them that their current circumstances are temporary and things will improve.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, baby, you know things is bound to change
He repeats his words of comfort and hope to emphasize his certainty that their situation is not hopeless.
Whoa, if I don't bring the bacon in the Winter, rest for sure, poor Lightnin' bring it in the Spring
He promises that if he doesn't provide in the Winter, he will certainly do so in the Spring - suggesting his continued efforts despite setbacks.
(One more time. Oh yeah!)
He repeats the final verse, once again emphasizing his commitment to providing for his partner and the transience of their current hardships.
Writer(s): Stanley Jospeh Lewis, Lightning Hopkins
Contributed by Anthony F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Drew Barries
This is the pure essence of the real blues, nothing even comes close, just perfect.
Mer bz
I come home this mornin', yes, I found my baby crying
I come home this mornin', yes, I found my baby crying
I said, "The Lord have mercy. What is wrong with that little babe of mine?"
You know it hurt me so bad, see them tears roll down my baby's cheek
Yeah, you know it hurt me so bad, see them tears rollin' down my baby's cheek
Whoa, you know I didn't have no money, poor Lightnin' didn't have a bite to eat
Don't, don't cry, baby, you know things is bound to change
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, baby, you know things is bound to change
Whoa, if I don't bring the bacon in the Winter, rest for sure, poor Lightnin' bring it in the Spring
jay legirons
After work with a bit of Whiskey and Lightnin, cool.
boinkeddinggy
My lord I'm tired, quite, quite....
smashingpumpkin999
Than you, cool song!
marcofe arg
Hola