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.".
Home In The Woods
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
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I'm gonna find me another home, find it way out in the woods
So I can let all them no good women know, whoa, I don't mean them no good
Yes everybody tells me,
In my neighborhood
You mess with a woman she don't mean you no good
I'm gonna find me a home, way out in the woods
She used to be a good woman but she didn't do what she should
And that's the reason I'm gonna find me a home out in the woods
I don't mean them no good
Still I want you to know
I did the best I could
The lyrics of Lightnin' Hopkins's song Home In The Woods showcase a man's intention to leave his current home and move to a place situated in the woods, where he will be able to stay away from the unwanted attentions of women who only bring trouble in his life. The lyrics imply that the man has had a history of troubled relationships with women and the gossip that has been circulating in his neighborhood is not helping the matters either. The man is determined to find a place where he can start anew without any drama and where he doesn't have to be bothered by anyone. Although he acknowledges that he has been involved with women who were not good for him, he was only doing the best he could.
The song Home In The Woods is a representation of Lightnin' Hopkins's unique style of blues music. The lyrics of the song also shed light on some of the social issues that were prevalent in the African American community during the time of its release. The song is a reflection of the stereotypes and the hardships that black people in America had to face while trying to create a life for themselves. The song is an excellent example of how people tried to cope with their problems by expressing them through music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna find me another home, I'm gonna find it way out in the woods
I'm planning to seek another place of residence, a peaceful home situated in a forested area.
So I can let all them no good women know, whoa, I don't mean them no good
This is to serve as a message to all the unfaithful women that I don't intend to associate with them.
Yes everybody tells me,
In my neighborhood
You mess with a woman she don't mean you no good
I'm gonna find me a home, way out in the woods
So I can let all these old no-good women know, I don't mean them no good
My community members advised me that getting involved with women in the area led to disappointment. Hence, I'm looking for a dwelling far from them to communicate that I won't be with such women.
She used to be a good woman but she didn't do what she should
And that's the reason I'm gonna find me a home out in the woods
I don't mean them no good
Still I want you to know
I did the best I could
The lady I was with had good in her but failed me. I'm thus moving away from her to avoid any similar occurrence. Though I don't wish to associate with such women, I don't want you to think I did not do my best to make it work.
Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mathurin94
fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!