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Nothing Is Rambling
Memphis Minnie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was born in Louisiana, I was raised in Algiers
And everywhere I been, the peoples all say
Ain't nothing in rambling either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, o Lord, and settle down

I first left home, I stopped in Tennessee
The peoples all begging, ""Come and stay with me""
'Cause ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll get me a good man, o Lord, and settle down

I was walking through the alley with my hand in my coat
The police start to shoot me, thought it was something I stole
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, o Lord, and settle down

The peoples on the highway is walking and crying
Some is starving, some is dying
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll get a good man, o Lord, and settle down

You may go to Hollywood and try to get on screen
But I'm gonna stay right here and eat these old charity beans
'Cause it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, o Lord, and settle down

Overall Meaning

The song "Nothing Is Rambling" by Memphis Minnie is a lamentation about the state of life as a roaming drifter. The lyrics depict the singer's experiences of being born in Louisiana but raised in Algiers, and the lessons she has learned from her travels. The song conveys the message that although it may be exciting to keep moving and running around, there is really nothing to gain from it. The people she has encountered along the way have all told her the same thing – there is no value in rambling.


The first verse of the song refers to the singer's desire to settle down and get married. She has been told by many of the people she has met that there is no point in running around and that she should find a good man and settle down. However, her experiences have led her to believe that this is easier said than done. She has stopped in Tennessee and has been offered numerous invitations to stay, but she knows in her heart that she must keep moving.


The second verse of the song portrays the harsh reality of being a drifter. The singer is walking through an alley and is mistaken for a thief. The police start to shoot at her, and she feels the fear and injustice that come with living a life outside of the law. She realizes that, although it may seem exciting to keep moving and never stay in one place for too long, there is nothing to be gained from a life on the run.


In conclusion, "Nothing Is Rambling" by Memphis Minnie is a powerful statement about the perils of being a drifter. The song conveys the message that although it may be exciting to keep moving and running around, there is really nothing to be gained from it. The singer longs to settle down and find a good man, but her experiences have taught her that this is not an easy task. She has learned that there is nothing to be gained from running around and living a life on the run.


Line by Line Meaning

I was born in Louisiana, I was raised in Algiers
I come from Louisiana and grew up in Algiers.


And everywhere I been, the peoples all say
Wherever I go, people say the same thing to me.


Ain't nothing in rambling either running around
There's no point in constantly traveling and moving around.


Well, I believe I'll marry, o Lord, and settle down
I think I'll find a husband and settle down.


I first left home, I stopped in Tennessee
When I first left home, I stopped in Tennessee.


The peoples all begging, "Come and stay with me"
Everyone was inviting me to stay with them.


'Cause ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
It's pointless to keep moving around all the time.


I was walking through the alley with my hand in my coat
I was walking through an alley with my hand in my coat.


The police start to shoot me, thought it was something I stole
The police started shooting at me because they thought I had stolen something.


You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
There's no point in constantly traveling and moving around.


Well, I believe I'll marry, o Lord, and settle down
I think I'll find a husband and settle down.


The peoples on the highway is walking and crying
People on the highway are walking and crying.


Some is starving, some is dying
Some of them are starving and dying.


You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
There's no point in constantly traveling and moving around.


Well, I believe I'll get a good man, o Lord, and settle down
I think I'll find a good man and settle down.


You may go to Hollywood and try to get on screen
You can go to Hollywood and try to become famous.


But I'm gonna stay right here and eat these old charity beans
But I'm going to stay here and eat these charity beans.


'Cause it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
It's pointless to keep moving around all the time.


Well, I believe I'll marry, o Lord, and settle down
I think I'll find a husband and settle down.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LAWLERS, MINNIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@SaphirSouenEstherG

Memphis Minnie - June 3, 1897 - August 6, 1973. Shared on Google+ & Facebook, June 3, 2018

@tjwash5118

Lucinda Williams does this tune justice as well.

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