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.".
Rocky Mountain Blues
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darling there way out in the west
That's where it's at
The rocky mountain
Darling there way out in the west
You know I hates to go and leave you sweetheart
Baby but I know that is for the best
But I can't stay here in your town
O' course I loves you, heeeee
But I can't stay here in your town
You know I've got my suitcase back, darling
I ain't gonna leave 'til the sun go down
Rocky mountain
That's mighty terrible dangerous place
Rocky mountain, it's a mighty terrible dangerous place
You know they can't now, baby doll
Bought a bowl of clay dirt in her face
In Lightnin' Hopkins's song "Rocky Mountain Blues," the singer is talking about leaving his lover behind and travelling west to the rocky mountains. He acknowledges his love for her but knows that he must leave to pursue his destiny. The rocky mountain is depicted as a dangerous and unforgiving place, and the decision to leave his lover is a difficult one, making the singer question whether it's the right decision.
The song's meaning can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation could be that the rocky mountains symbolize a new or unknown place that the singer is heading towards - possibly for work or a new opportunity. The rocky mountains in this song may represent the unknown territory or the path less taken. The lyrics suggest that the decision is a difficult one but ultimately necessary if he wants to progress. The use of the word 'dangerous' also emphasizes the risk and change associated with the journey's venture.
Line by Line Meaning
The rocky mountain
Referring to the Rocky Mountains, a range of mountains in the western part of America.
Darling there way out in the west
Addressing a loved one who lives in the western part of America.
That's where it's at
The place where things are happening, where opportunities are found.
You know I hates to go and leave you sweetheart
Expressing a feeling of sadness about having to leave a loved one behind.
Baby but I know that is for the best
Acknowledging that leaving is necessary, despite the sadness.
O' course I loves you
Obviously, I love you.
But I can't stay here in your town
However, I cannot remain in your town.
You know I've got my suitcase back, darling
I have my suitcase with me, my bags are packed.
I ain't gonna leave 'til the sun go down
I am not going to leave until the day is done.
Rocky mountain
Referring to the same Rocky Mountains.
That's mighty terrible dangerous place
The Rocky Mountains are a dangerous place and can be treacherous.
You know they can't now, baby doll
They cannot handle it now, my love.
Bought a bowl of clay dirt in her face
They received a bad result, like getting a face full of dirt.
Writer(s): SAM HOPKINS
Contributed by Noah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
B
Love this song. Thanks for uploading it!
henk Holtkamp
Very nice track😎👌
Dane Jacobson
Classic, classic blues.
William Minarcik
Lyrics: The Rocky Mountain, darling, they way out in the West
That´s where it´s at. x2
Yeah you know I hate to go and leave you, sweetheart
Baby, but I know that is for the best
O´ course I love you, but I can´t stay here in your town x2
Yes you know I´ve got my suitcase packed, darling
I ain´t gonna leave you till the sun goes down
Weeeee, The Rocky Mountain
That´s a mighty terrible dangerous place
Rocky Mountain, it´s a mighty terrible dangerous place
Yes you know, they carried my baby there
For they throwed clay dirt in her face
Sheila Barron
Love Lighting Hopkins Blues
Jill Baeder
He's da best...
Theresa Dmytriw
Whoooo💙🎶‼️🔥
Paulocrammed
Came into Denver from the east to this song