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.".
I'm Tired Of Trouble
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
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Trouble I've been havin' all my days
Tired of so much trouble,
Oh Lord, had it all my days
Some time I be troubled,
And the woman, gonna take poor Lightnin' to his grave
I told my mama I was in trouble,
Something I didn't want her to know
Told poor mama I was in trouble, yeah, yeah
Boys, I went as fast as I could go
Mama said, "son, you in home now,
I'll pray you don't be trouble no more"
The lyrics of Lightnin' Hopkins's song, "I'm Tired Of Trouble," express his deep weariness with the overwhelming amount of problems he has been facing throughout his entire life. The repetition of the phrase, "Tired of so much trouble," highlights his feeling of immense exhaustion and frustration. He then admits that sometimes his troubles are due to his relationship with women, revealing that he may have had past experiences that caused him a great deal of difficulty. Hopkins's use of the metaphor of a woman taking him "to his grave" expresses the idea that his relationships with women have been a heavy burden that is slowly killing him.
In the next verse, Hopkins reveals that he has confided in his mother about his troubles, but he did not want her to know. This suggests that Lightnin' Hopkins had a strained relationship with his mother and may have felt ashamed or embarrassed to discuss his issues with her. However, his mother demonstrates her unconditional love and support by reassuring him that he is home now and she will pray for him to overcome his troubles.
Overall, the song reflects Hopkins's struggle with facing hardships in his life, including the pain and disappointment that comes from failed relationships. The song's emotional depth is enhanced by Hopkins's haunting guitar playing and soulful vocal delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired of so much trouble,
I am weary and burdened by the constant struggles and challenges that have been present throughout my entire existence.
Trouble I've been havin' all my days
Since my birth, I have encountered one hardship after another and have not experienced a life free of difficulty.
Oh Lord, had it all my days
I beseech the Lord for deliverance as I have endured pain, sorrow, and affliction every single day of my life.
Some time I be troubled,
Occasionally, I am closely beset by trials and tribulations which weigh heavily on my mind, heart, and soul.
And the woman, gonna take poor Lightnin' to his grave
The woman I am involved with is a cause of some of my problems, and it seems that she will be the death of me.
I told my mama I was in trouble,
I revealed to my mother that I was struggling and in difficulty, although I did not wish to burden her with this knowledge.
Something I didn't want her to know
I concealed from my mother the extent of my suffering and did not intend to reveal the full extent of my troubles to her.
Boys, I went as fast as I could go
I took swift action and did everything in my power to address the concerns and issues that had been troubling me.
Mama said, "son, you in home now,
My mother reminded me that I was in a place of safety and comfort, and that she would offer her prayers and support to help me through my struggles.
I'll pray you don't be trouble no more"
My mother offered prayers and positive thoughts, hoping that I would be freed from my troubles and that I would experience peace and happiness in the future.
Contributed by Ethan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.