Memphis Blues
Merle Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's where the people smile, smile on you all the while
Hospitality, they were good to me
I couldn't spend a dime and had the grandest time
I went out a dancing with a Tennessee dear
They had a fellow named Handy with a band you should hear
And while the folks gently swayed
I never will forget that tune they call
Handy's Memphis Blues, oh yes, those blues
They've got a trumpet man leading the band
And folks, he sure blow some horn
And when the clarinet seconds to the trombones croon
It moans just like a sinner on revival day
That melancholy strain that ever haunting refrain
Is like a morning sorrow song
Here comes the very part that wraps a spell around my heart
It sets me wild to hear that loving tune again, those Memphis Blues
The lyrics to Merle Travis's "Memphis Blues" describe the singer's experience in Memphis, Tennessee. The people in Memphis are courteous and welcoming. The singer couldn't spend any money, but they still had a wonderful time. The highlight of the trip was dancing with a lady from Tennessee while listening to W.C. Handy's band play "Handy's Memphis Blues." The band had a trumpeter who played exceptional solos and a clarinetist and trombonist who added to the band's moaning sound. However, it was the melody of the song that the singer found particularly enchanting. The melancholy and haunting sound of the tune made the singer eager to hear it again and again.
Line by Line Meaning
Folks, I've just been down, down to Memphis Town
I have recently visited Memphis Town
That's where the people smile, smile on you all the while
The people in Memphis Town are kind and always smile at you
Hospitality, they were good to me
The people in Memphis Town showed me great hospitality
I couldn't spend a dime and had the grandest time
Even though I had no money, I still had a wonderful time in Memphis Town
I went out a dancing with a Tennessee dear
I went dancing with a person from Tennessee
They had a fellow named Handy with a band you should hear
There was a musician named Handy with an amazing band that you should listen to
And while the folks gently swayed
While people were dancing softly
All them boys began to play in real harmony
All the musicians started playing together perfectly
I never will forget that tune they call
I will always remember the song they played called
Handy's Memphis Blues, oh yes, those blues
Handy's Memphis Blues, a nostalgic song
They've got a trumpet man leading the band
A trumpet player leads the band
And folks, he sure blow some horn
He is an excellent trumpet player
And when the clarinet seconds to the trombones croon
When the clarinet joins the trombones in singing
It moans just like a sinner on revival day
The sound is like a sorrowful cry from a person seeking redemption
That melancholy strain that ever haunting refrain
The sad melody that constantly repeats itself
Is like a morning sorrow song
It sounds like a song for the grieving
Here comes the very part that wraps a spell around my heart
This is the part of the song that captivates me
It sets me wild to hear that loving tune again, those Memphis Blues
Hearing that nostalgic and lovely tune again, the Memphis Blues, excites me
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.