What's The Matter With The Mill?
Memphis Minnie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Interesting Facts ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kansas Joe McCoy:
Say Minnie! Where you going?

Memphis Minnie:
What you want, Kansas Joe?
I'm going to the mill; what do you think?
Have my corn ground

Kansas Joe McCoy:
For what?
Ahw, that old mill is done broke down
I'm just from down there


Memphis Minnie:
How do you know?
Ahw, and it broke you down

Kansas Joe McCoy:
Ahw, no, I went to get my corn ground
It done broke down
Yeah, it done broke down)

Memphis Minnie:
What's the matter with the mill?
Done broke down?

Memphis Minnie:
Can't get no grinding, tell me what's the matter with the mill

Well, I had a little corn, I put it in a sack
Brought it to the mill and come right back
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill

Kansas Joe McCoy:
It done broke down
It done broke down

Memphis Minnie:
Ahw, grind it

Now listen here folks, I don't want no stuff
You can't bring me my meal, bring me the husks1
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill

Kansas Joe McCoy:
It done broke down
It done broke down

Memphis Minnie:
Well, my papa sat and cried, my brother did, too
They both been to the mill, they can't get nothing to do
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill

Kansas Joe McCoy:
It done broke down
It done broke down

Now listen here folks, I want you to bear this in mind
If you're going to the mill, you're just losing time
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill

Kansas Joe McCoy:
It done broke down
It done broke down





(spoken: Aww, grind it again)

Overall Meaning

"What's The Matter With The Mill?" is a blues song by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy. The lyrics are a dialogue between Minnie and Joe, where Minnie tells Joe she's going to the mill to grind corn, but Joe tells her that the mill is broken down. The song continues with Minnie questioning what is wrong with the mill, and Joe repeatedly answering that it is broken down. Throughout the song, Minnie expresses frustration with not being able to get her corn ground, while Joe seems more resigned to the situation.


The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the economic struggles of African Americans in the rural South during the early 20th century. The mill represents a key resource for the community, but it is unreliable and inaccessible, leaving people without access to basic necessities like flour and meal. Minnie's frustration and Joe's resignation reflect the hopelessness felt by many in the face of economic factors beyond their control.


Overall, "What's The Matter With The Mill?" is a powerful example of the blues as a tool for expressing the struggles and realities of everyday life, particularly for those facing oppression and economic hardship.


Interesting facts about the song:


Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.


Line by Line Meaning

Say Minnie! Where you going?
Kansas Joe is asking Memphis Minnie where she is going.


What you want, Kansas Joe? I'm going to the mill; what do you think? Have my corn ground
Memphis Minnie tells Kansas Joe that she is going to the mill to get her corn ground.


For what? Ahw, that old mill is done broke down I'm just from down there
Kansas Joe tells Memphis Minnie that the mill is broken down and he just came from there.


How do you know? Ahw, and it broke you down
Memphis Minnie questions how Kansas Joe knows about the mill being broken down and suggests that it has caused him some trouble.


Ahw, no, I went to get my corn ground It done broke down Yeah, it done broke down
Kansas Joe explains that he went to the mill to get his corn ground, but it is broken down.


What's the matter with the mill? Done broke down?
Memphis Minnie questions what is wrong with the mill and confirms that it is broken down.


Can't get no grinding, tell me what's the matter with the mill
Memphis Minnie states that she can't get her corn ground and asks again what is wrong with the mill.


Well, I had a little corn, I put it in a sack Brought it to the mill and come right back What's the matter with the mill? What's the matter with the mill? I can't get no grinding Tell me what's the matter with the mill
Memphis Minnie explains that she brought her corn to the mill, but it is still not able to be ground and again asks what is wrong with the mill.


It done broke down It done broke down
Kansas Joe repeats that the mill is broken down.


Ahw, grind it
Memphis Minnie sarcastically suggests that the mill should just grind despite being broken down.


Now listen here folks, I don't want no stuff You can't bring me my meal, bring me the husks1 What's the matter with the mill? What's the matter with the mill? I can't get no grinding Tell me what's the matter with the mill
Memphis Minnie expresses her frustration that the mill is unable to grind her corn and says that she would rather have the husks than nothing at all.


Well, my papa sat and cried, my brother did, too They both been to the mill, they can't get nothing to do What's the matter with the mill? What's the matter with the mill? I can't get no grinding Tell me what's the matter with the mill
Memphis Minnie shares that her family members have also been to the mill and are unable to get anything done because of the broken down mill.


Now listen here folks, I want you to bear this in mind If you're going to the mill, you're just losing time What's the matter with the mill? What's the matter with the mill? I can't get no grinding Tell me what's the matter with the mill
Memphis Minnie warns others that going to the mill is a waste of time and pointless because of the broken down state of the mill.


It done broke down It done broke down (spoken: Aww, grind it again)
Kansas Joe repeats that the mill is broken down and suggests sarcastically to grind it again.




Contributed by Annabelle H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

williewaterbug

One of my all time favorite songs. These two were so cute. That rolling solo so sweet. Kids today just don't know nothing.

Creak

Idk about that. I'm 21 and I listen to a lot of this stuff, and I'm sure there are others too. It's just not mainsteam since it's "outdated", despite being very good.

Giovanni Iorio

Some good soul out there that could write the lyrics of this masterpiece!!!
Ty for posting . God bless you all

Arkansas Red

That's my favorite version of that tune. Hopefully, when Bob Wills or other people recorded it back then, that Kansas Joe (McCoy) got credit and some royalties. Back then a lot of composers of tunes sold them for a few bucks or a bottle of hootch.

monkee time

Moon Mullican's version is fun too!

Mathew Fines

LOVE Memphis Minnie!

Giovanni Iorio

Ty for posting!!! Please lyrics...I love Minnie and her songs...and I would like to learn them...and I will sing them while I train

Ben White

Muddy Waters did a great version of this called Can't Get No Grinding. People should check it out!

Jason

Cheers!

Big Barty

He also did one called "What's the matter with the mill". 🙄

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