His parents, who were farmers, died when McDowell was a youth. He started playing guitar at the age of 14 and played at dances around Rossville. Wanting a change from ploughing fields, he moved to Memphis in 1926 where he worked in a number of jobs and played music for tips. He settled in Como, Mississippi, about 40 miles south of Memphis, in 1940 or 1941, and worked steadily as a farmer, continuing to perform music at dances, and picnics. Initially he played slide guitar using a pocket knife and then a slide made from a beef rib bone, later switching to a glass slide for its clearer sound. He played with the slide on his ring finger.
A pure hill country blues musician, he played "just the straight, natural blues," and he "do not play no rock and roll." McDowell initially played the recognizable resonator guitar but, during tours and recordings beginning in the 1960s, he adopted the use of electric guitar and was probably the first original delta- or country blues musician to do so. McDowell's style is distinctive and recognizable; perhaps the dirtiest sounding guitarist ever and one of the most influential. The slide guitar styles of Bonnie Raitt as well as Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, as well as Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys are all heavily influenced by McDowell's technique.
McDowell died of cancer in 1972 and is buried at Hammond Hill M.B. Church, between Como and Senatobia. On August 6, 1993 a memorial was placed on the gravesite of Mississippi Fred McDowell at the Hammond Hill Baptist Church cemetery by the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund.
Lord Have Mercy
Mississippi Fred McDowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord have mercy on.
Lord if he tries to
Lord have mercy
Got so happy on my knees
Got so happy on my knees
Lord have mercy on.
Lord have mercy on.
Lord have mercy on.
The song "Lord Have Mercy" by Mississippi Fred McDowell is a religious and spiritual song that showcases the singer's plea to God to have mercy on him. The repetitive chorus "Lord have mercy" is a call for divine intervention to help the singer get through the challenges of his life. The first two verses of the song talk about the need for God's mercy and how we should call upon him in times of need.
The next two verses give insight into the happiness that can be found in prayer and worship. The singer talks about how he got so happy on his knees, showing how prayer can bring joy and comfort to those seeking God's help. The overall message of the song is that God's mercy and grace are essential in navigating the ups and downs of life, and we must be humble enough to call upon him in our time of need.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord have mercy
Asking for divine intervention and guidance.
Lord have mercy on.
Continuing the plea for divine intervention and guidance.
Lord if he tries to
Acknowledging that one's belief in the Lord might be tested, and praying for the strength to overcome any challenges.
Lord have mercy
Reiterating the plea for divine intervention and guidance.
Got so happy on my knees
Finding joy and solace in prayer, and experiencing a spiritual connection with the divine.
Got so happy on my knees
Repeating the sentiment of finding joy and solace in prayer, and experiencing a spiritual connection with the divine.
Oh Lord, got so happy on my knees
Expressing extreme happiness and gratitude to the Lord for the comfort and strength derived from prayer.
Lord have mercy on.
Concluding the plea for divine intervention and guidance.
Lord have mercy on.
Finalizing the plea for divine intervention and guidance.
Writer(s): Chas. Taylor
Contributed by Liam R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.