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.".
Rosie Mae
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
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Folks say she don't run around at night.
You know Rosie Mae is a good girl,
Folks say she don't run around at night.
Well, you know you can bet your last dollar,
Poor Rosie Mae will treat ya right.
Yeah, you know I try to give my woman,
Everything in the world she needs.
But lay up in the bed and read.
You know she walks just like,
She got oil wells in her backyard.
Why you never hear that woman hootin and hollerin and cryin,
No man, a-talkin about these times bein hard.
Yes, Rosie Mae.
Yeah, she's a good girl.
Yeah, you know I bought her a radio,
Even bought her electric fan.
She said, "I'm gonna lay here and read,"
"And God, I ain't gonna have no other man."
It made me feel so good,
Til I don't know what to do.
Yes I said, "Every dollar po' Lightnin make, baby,"
"He gotta bring it back home to you."
The song "Rosie Mae" by Lightnin' Hopkins is an ode to a good woman. Hopkins sings about the virtues of Rosie Mae, whom he describes as a "good girl." He notes that she isn't known for running around at night and that she is the type of woman who will treat a man right. Hopkins appears to be deeply in love with Rosie Mae, as evidenced by the way he describes their relationship. He gives her everything she needs and even goes so far as to buy her a radio and an electric fan. Rosie Mae's contentedness is reflected in her habit of laying in bed and reading. The song is a celebration of a woman who is content with simple pleasures and takes care of her man.
The lyrics to "Rosie Mae" are a testament to Lightnin' Hopkins's unique style of storytelling through his music. Hopkins was a master of the blues, with a deep understanding of the genre's history and its place in African American culture. His music often dealt with the struggles that Black people faced, particularly in the South. However, he also celebrated the joys of life, particularly love and community. "Rosie Mae" is a song that reflects this sentiment, as Hopkins celebrates a woman who represents the best of what he believes in.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmmm, you know Rosie Mae is a good girl,
Rosie Mae has a good reputation and is seen as a virtuous woman.
Folks say she don't run around at night.
People believe Rosie Mae is not promiscuous and does not engage in activities at night.
Well, you know you can bet your last dollar,
There is a high level of certainty that Rosie Mae will treat someone right.
Poor Rosie Mae will treat ya right.
Rosie Mae will treat someone with kindness and respect.
Yeah, you know I try to give my woman,
The artist tries to provide his woman with everything she needs.
Everything in the world she needs.
The singer wants to give his woman everything she wants and needs to be happy.
That's why she don't do nothin man,
Rosie Mae does not have to do anything because the singer takes care of her needs.
But lay up in the bed and read.
Rosie Mae spends her time leisurely reading in bed.
You know she walks just like,
Rosie Mae's gait resembles that of someone who has oil wells in their backyard (i.e. confident and with purpose).
She got oil wells in her backyard.
Rosie Mae exudes confidence and purpose in the way she moves.
Why you never hear that woman hootin and hollerin and cryin,
Rosie Mae does not complain or exhibit negative behavior, despite the difficult times she may face.
No man, a-talkin about these times bein hard.
Even though times may be tough, Rosie Mae does not let it get to her.
Yes, Rosie Mae.
The singer admires Rosie Mae and addresses her directly in the song.
Yeah, she's a good girl.
The singer continues to emphasize Rosie Mae's virtuous character.
Yeah, you know I bought her a radio,
The singer shows his affection for Rosie Mae by buying her a radio.
Even bought her electric fan.
In addition to the radio, the artist also buys Rosie Mae an electric fan.
She said, 'I'm gonna lay here and read,'
Rosie Mae is content with her leisurely activities and does not need anything else to make her happy.
'And God, I ain't gonna have no other man.'
Rosie Mae is faithful to the singer and does not want another man in her life.
It made me feel so good,
The singer feels happy and satisfied with the way he is able to take care of Rosie Mae.
Til I don't know what to do.
The artist is overwhelmed by the emotions that Rosie Mae inspired in him.
Yes I said, 'Every dollar po' Lightnin make, baby,'
The artist promises to use every dollar he earns to take care of Rosie Mae.
'He gotta bring it back home to you.'
The artist commits to providing for Rosie Mae and making sure she has everything she needs.
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.