Preachin' Blues
Nigel Watson; Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was up this mornin', ah, blues walkin' like a man
Worried blues, give me your right hand
And the blues fell mama's child, tore me all upside down
Blues fell mama's child, and it tore me all upside down
Travel on, poor Bob, just can't turn you 'round
Is a low-down shakin' chill
You ain't never had 'em I, hope you never will
Well, the blues, is a achin' old heart disease
Do it now, you gon' do it? Tell me all about it
The blues, is a low-down achin' heart disease
Like consumption, killing me by degrees
I can study rain, oh oh drive, oh oh drive my blues
I been studyin' the rain, I'm 'on drive my blues away
Goin' to the 'stil'ry, stay out there all day
"Preachin' Blues" by Peter Green is a blues song filled with pain and melancholy. The song is about the singer's deep-seated sorrow that he associates with the blues. The song is steeped with references to 'low down shaking chill' and 'heart diseases,' signifying the immense amount of damage emotional turmoil can cause. The lyrics also hint towards the notion of escape, with the singer referring to studying the rain and driving his blues away. The song also talks about the futility of escape, mentioning that he cannot 'turn you 'round,' possibly referring to the fact that he cannot escape his own pain, no matter how hard he tries.
The song's repetition of 'blues' highlights the sorrowful, servile condition in which an individual finds themselves caught within the blues. The artist's tone, accompanied by the dirge-like tempo, is a depiction of unwavering sadness and despair. The song is evocative, symbolic and is an ode to the emotional and physical pain. Through the lyrics of "Preachin' Blues," Peter Green manages to convey the corrosive power of sorrow and depicts its impacts on human life.
Line by Line Meaning
I was up this mornin', ah, blues walkin' like a man
I woke up feeling overwhelmed with sadness, my emotions so heavy it felt like I was physically walking with the weight of it.
Worried blues, give me your right hand
I am seeking comfort and companionship from the blues, asking for it to help me through this difficult time.
And the blues fell mama's child, tore me all upside down
The blues hit me with such intensity that it completely upended me and turned my world inside out.
Travel on, poor Bob, just can't turn you 'round
Trying to move past my troubles, like the character of Bob in the song, but finding it a difficult and arduous journey.
The blues, is a low-down shakin' chill, yes, preach 'em now
Describing the feeling of the blues, an intense and all-consuming emotion that brings about a physical reaction, and urging others to understand and relate to it.
You ain't never had 'em I, hope you never will
Although I want others to understand what I'm going through, I also wouldn't wish the pain of the blues on anyone.
Well, the blues, is a achin' old heart disease
Comparing the blues to a physical ailment, like heart disease, that can affect both the mind and the body.
Do it now, you gon' do it? Tell me all about it
Asking someone if they've experienced the blues before, and if so, sharing in the experience and wanting to hear their perspective.
Like consumption, killing me by degrees
Further emphasizing the physical toll the blues can take on a person, slowly chipping away at them over time.
I can study rain, oh oh drive, oh oh drive my blues
Trying to distract myself from the weight of my emotions, like studying the rain or driving, in order to alleviate the pain of the blues.
I been studyin' the rain, I'm 'on drive my blues away
Making a conscious effort to divert my attention away from the blues and seek out moments of calm and clarity in order to feel better.
Goin' to the 'stil'ry, stay out there all day
Imagining going to a place where alcohol is made and spending a full day there, perhaps to dull the feeling of the blues.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Son House
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
halit balkan
Thank you 🎵