Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters - Forty Days And Forty Nights Lyrics


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Forty days and forty nights
Since my baby left this town
Sunshinin' all day long
But the rain keep comin' down
She's my life I need her so
Why she left I just don't know
Forty days and forty nights
Since I set right down and cried
Keep rainin' all the time
But the river is runnin' dry
Lord help me it just ain't right
I love that girl with all-a my might
Forty days and forty nights
Since my baby broke my heart
Searchin' for her in a while
Like a blind man in the dark
Love can make a poor man rich
Or break his heart I don't know which
Forty days and forty nights
Like a ship out on the sea
Prayin' for her each night
That she would come back-a home to me




Life is love and love is right
I hope she come back home tonight

Overall Meaning

Muddy Waters's song "Forty Days and Forty Nights" is a ballad about a man whose love has left him without explanation. The lyrics are expressive, conveying the pain and despair of this love-sick man who has been waiting for his lover to return for forty days and forty nights. The man is bewildered by the absence of his lover, and he cannot find a satisfactory reason for her departure. He misses her and needs her in his life, and the rain that keeps pouring down is symbolic of his tears.


The singer's longing is evident through the lyrics, "She's my life, I need her so." He is trying to fill the void created by her absence by wishing for her return, "Prayin' for her each night, That she would come back-a home to me." He feels that love can both make a poor man rich and break his heart, and he cannot make peace with the fact that she chose to leave him. The song's narrative builds up as the singer searches for his lover, describing the emotional turmoil he is experiencing at her loss.


Line by Line Meaning

Forty days and forty nights
It's been a long time since my baby left


Since my baby left this town
My love left and my world fell apart


Sunshinin' all day long
The weather is nice, but I'm still sad


But the rain keep comin' down
My tears won't stop falling


She's my life I need her so
My love is everything to me


Why she left I just don't know
I'm confused and hurt by her departure


Since I set right down and cried
I've been so sad that I broke down and cried


Keep rainin' all the time
My life feels like a never-ending storm


But the river is runnin' dry
Even though it's been raining a lot, I'm still unable to move on


Lord help me it just ain't right
I'm struggling and need divine intervention


I love that girl with all-a my might
My love for her is all-consuming


Since my baby broke my heart
My heart is broken from her leaving


Searchin' for her in a while
I've been looking for her for some time now


Like a blind man in the dark
I'm lost and unsure how to find her


Love can make a poor man rich
The power of love can bring so much joy and happiness


Or break his heart I don't know which
But at the same time, it can bring so much pain and heartbreak


Like a ship out on the sea
I feel lost and adrift without her


Prayin' for her each night
I'm hoping and praying that she'll come back to me


That she would come back-a home to me
I want her to come back and be with me again


Life is love and love is right
Love is the most important thing in life


I hope she come back home tonight
I miss her so much and want her to return to me soon




Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jessdizzle

Forty days and forty nights
Since my baby left this town
Sunshinin' all day long
But the rain keep comin' down
She's my life I need her so
Why she left I just don't know

Forty days and forty nights
Since I set right down and cried
Keep rainin' all the time
But the river is runnin' dry
Lord help me it just ain't right
I love that girl with all-a my might

Forty days and forty nights
Since my baby broke my heart
Searchin' for her in a while
Like a blind man in the dark
Love can make a poor man rich
Or break his heart I don't know which

Forty days and forty nights
Like a ship out on the sea
Prayin' for her each night
That she would come back-a home to me
Life is love and love is right
I hope she come back home tonight



All comments from YouTube:

@marty6779

One of the best blues records ever recorded.

@julestheraccoon

I've heard this song about a hundred times, and each time it still gives me chills. ❤

@ArchiJB

The whole world was lucky that Muddy Waters was born

@tsawclemsaw2553

2021?

@orrincheely6604

Facts.... Im still shocked how many dont hear his genius

@gian-pieroerdmann3780

His music is awesome... He is his own awesome musician 🎊!!
Muddy... thank you!!!!

@davidkitson635

And Muddy was lucky Willy Dixon was born.

@user-xe5fz6se9j

@@davidkitson635 absolutely! But Mud brought the blues. We have nothing without that

4 More Replies...

@ttm2996

Shame to say I've come over this from the Cadillac Records movie but goodness gracious Little Walter!!!! Sheesh 👌👌👌

@Bopalena

Those of us who got to see Muddy play with Johnny WInter in the 70s are truly blessed! BLUES POWER!!!

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