Your Own Fault Baby to Treat Me the Way You Do
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics


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Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do
It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do
It's your own fault baby, darlin' in treatin' me the way you do
You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you
Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin'
Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin'
Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin'
Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do
Yes you still my baby, don't make no difference what you may do




Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you

Overall Meaning

In "Your Own Fault Baby To Treat Me The Way You Do," Lightnin’ Hopkins laments about how he has been mistreated by his partner. He sings, “Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do. It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do. You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you.” The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disappointment, as he feels he did everything he could to make the relationship work, but still received mistreatment in return.


Hopkins then goes on to express his sadness and regret about the situation. “Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin'. Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin'. Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin'.” Despite the dishonesty of his partner, Hopkins acknowledges that he still cares for her and that she is unable to end the relationship completely.


In the final verse, Hopkins emphasizes the length and depth of his love for his partner. “Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do. Yes you still my baby, don't make no difference what you may do. Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you.” Even though he has been mistreated, Hopkins is willing to forgive and still considers his partner to be his “baby.”


Overall, “Your Own Fault Baby To Treat Me The Way You Do” showcases Hopkins’ ability to convey complex emotions through his lyrics and blues guitar playing.


Line by Line Meaning

Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do
It's your own fault that you treat me so badly, baby.


It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do
You are completely responsible for your treatment of me, baby.


It's your own fault baby, darlin' in treatin' me the way you do
Baby, you have only yourself to blame for how you treat me.


You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you
I did everything I could to be a good partner to you and help you, but it wasn't enough.


Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin'
You used to say you loved me, but I later discovered that it was a lie.


Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin'
There was a time when you claimed to love me, but I eventually realized it wasn't true.


Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin'
You won't be able to leave me, black woman, so there's no point in trying.


Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do
Despite everything, you are still my baby, and nothing you do can change that.


Yes you still my baby, don't make no difference what you may do
No matter what you do, you will always be my baby.


Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you
You may not say it, but I know that you are aware of how long I have been in love with you, little woman.




Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Philip Kemp

Is that LH playing the piano?

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